We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on our web pages. We share images and information with Wikipedia. We also donate to Wikipedia, & would suggest that others do the same. Valley of Rephaim (Hebrew: Emeq Rephaim (Joshua 15:8; Joshua 18:16, R.V.). A valley descending southwest from Jerusalem to the Valley of Elah below, it is an ancient route from the coastal plain to the Judean Hills, probably named after the legendary race of giants. When David became king over all Israel, the Philistines, judging that he would now become their uncompromising enemy, made a sudden attack upon Hebron, compelling David to retire from it. He sought refuge in "the hold" at Adullam (2 Samuel 5:17-22), and the Philistines took up their position in the valley of Rephaim, on the west and south-west of Jerusalem. Thus all communication between Bethlehem and Jerusalem was intercepted. While David and his army were encamped here, there occurred that incident narrated in 2 Samuel 5:17-25. Having obtained divine direction, David led his army against the Philistines, and gained a complete victory over them. The scene of this victory was afterwards called Baal-perazim. A second time, however, the Philistines rallied their forces in this valley (2 Samuel 5:22). Again warned by a divine saying, David led his army to Gibeon, and attacked the Philistines from the south, inflicting on them another severe defeat, and chasing them with great slaughter to Gezer (q.v.). There David kept in check these enemies of Israel. Today, a considerable part of Jerusalem has grown around the area. The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo is located nearby. There is a spring nearby called; Ein Lavan. At the lower end of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo's car park is a blue in the footpath marking map which is called �Nadav road� after Nadav Elad, a warrior in the Demolitions and Engineering Battalion who was killed during an operation in Hebron. Nadav�s family maintains the road and pool to commemorate his name. Either a short drive, or a 20 minute walk, along the dirt road will bring you to the footpath that ascends rightward to the spring (it takes 2 minutes). There are clear signs that direct you to the spring. This site has been declared a national park and then terraces were built, trees were planted, access footpaths were paved, and a wading pool for children was built. Water drains from a short tunnel and an aqueduct to a large pool. Today the stream is named after the mountain range from which it emanates - the Lavan Range (which is called this because of its bright limestone) which is part of the Sorek Range, one of the extended mountain ranges that reach westward from Jerusalem into the Judean Lowlands. The Ein Lavan spring has other names as well ie.. Ein El �Ulik (the blackberries) & Ein Egozim (after a small walnut plantation that was planted nearby). South of the spring one can see the streambed of the Refaim Stream and the revived railroad.

The easy way to get to Rephaim Valley, Israel, is to fly into the Ben Gurion International Airport. The airport is at the junction of the Haifa, Jerusalem, Dan, and Tel Aviv metropolitan areas. The Ben Gurion International Airport, (IATA: TLV, ICAO: LLBG), also referred to by its Hebrew acronym Natbag, is the largest and busiest international airport in Israel. It was named the best airport in the Middle East by the ACI organisation.[ The airport is located near the city of Lod, 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Tel Aviv. It is operated by the Israel Airports Authority, a government-owned corporation that manages all public airports and border crossings in the State of Israel. The Ben Gurion International Airport is considered one of the world's most secure airports, with a security force that includes both police officers and IDF soldiers. There are several hotels in or near Jerusalem. There are several Guided Tour Agencies offering standard city, and historical tours of Jerusalem, Israel and the surrounding areas. After arranging your flight we would suggest getting your hotel and then letting them arrange tours of the area for you. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. I do this all the time. It is safe and it works!!! I have never experienced a problem doing it this way! I have links to Priceline.Com on our page so that you can arrange your flight and hotel in the Jerusalem, Israel area.