Ramoth-gilead

AI summary: Ramoth-gilead combines legal, strategic, and royal significance. As a city of refuge it has a formal place in Israel's ordered life, but in the monarchy narratives it becomes far better known as a military stronghold repeatedly fought over by Israel and Aram. The deaths and wounds of kings, the prophetic warnings surrounding battle there, and Jehu's anointing all heighten its importance. Across the cross references, Ramoth-gilead stands as one of the transjordan's most politically charged cities.¹

Heights of Gilead, a city of refuge on the east of Jordan; called “Ramoth in Gilead” (Deut. 4:43; Josh. 20:8; 21:38). Here Ahab, who joined Jehoshaphat in an endeavour to rescue it from the hands of the king of Syria, was mortally wounded (1 Kings 22:1-36). A similar attempt was afterwards made by Ahaziah and Joram, when the latter was wounded (2 Kings 8:28). In this city Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, was anointed by one of the sons of the prophets (9:1, 4). It has with probability been identified with Reimun, on the northern slope of the Jabbok, about 5 miles west of Jerash or Gerasa, one of the cities of Decapolis. Others identify it with Gerosh, about 25 miles north-east of es-Salt, with which also many have identified it. (See RAMATH-MIZPEH.) ³