Dictionary Summary: Obedience, a town in the mountains of Judah ([Josh. 21:14](/josh#Josh.21.14); [1 Chr. 6:57](/1chr#1Chr.6.57)), which was allotted, with the land round it, to the priests. It was frequented by David and his followers during their wanderings; and he sent presents of the spoil of the Amalekites to his friends there ([1 Sam. 30:28](/1sam#1Sam.30.28)). It is identified with es-Semu’a, a village about 3 1/2 miles east of Socoh, and 7 or 8 miles south of Hebron, around which there are ancient remains of the ruined city. It is the centre of the “south country” or Negeb. It is also called “Eshtemoh” ([Josh. 15:50](/josh#Josh.15.50)). ²