Ramah - i. e. "lofty;" probably the native town and abode of Samuel 1 Samuel 1:19; 1 Samuel 25:1. Its exact site is uncertain.

Gibeon - See before, Joshua 10:1-14 (note). This place is famous for the confederacy of the five kings against Israel, and their miraculous defeat. Ramah, a place about six or eight miles north of Jerusalem. Beeroth, i.e., wells; one of the four cities which belonged to the Gibeonites, who made peace with the Israelites by stratagem. See Joshua 9:3-15.

Gibeon,.... Gibeon is the place from whence the Gibeonites came, who deceived Joshua, Joshua 9:3. Jerom says (p), in his time there was a village shown of this name, four miles from Bethel to the east, near Ramah, next mentioned:

and Ramah, which Jerom relates (q) was six miles from Aelia or Jerusalem to the north, against Bethel. Rauwolff, a traveller in those parts, says (r), that the town of Rama is situated on an ascent, in plain fields, which extend themselves for two leagues to the hill of the city of Jerusalem; these fields are very fruitful and well tilled, and sown with corn, cotton, and Indian millet; the town is pretty large, but very open, like unto a village, very pitifully built, where one may still see here and there some signs of old buildings:

and Beeroth was a city that belonged to the Gibeonites, Joshua 9:17; and Jerom says (s), in his time was shown the village, seven miles from Aelia or Jerusalem, as you go to Neapolis or Shechem.

(p) De loc. Heb. fol. 92. A. (q) Ibid. fol. 94. B. (r) Travels, par. 3. c. 1. p. 215. Ed. Ray. (s) Vid. Reland. Palestin. Illustrat. tom. 2. p. 618.

The second group of fourteen towns in the western portion of Benjamin. - Joshua 18:25. Gibeon, the present Jib: see at Joshua 9:3. Ramah, in the neighbourhood of Gibeah and Geba (Judges 19:13; Isaiah 10:29; 1 Kings 15:17; Ezra 2:26), most probably the Ramah of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:19; 1 Samuel 2:11; 1 Samuel 25:1; 1 Samuel 28:3), is the present village of er-Rm, upon a mountain with ruins between Gibeon and Geba, half an hour to the west of the latter, two hours to the north of Jerusalem (see Rob. ii. p. 315). Beeroth, the present Bireh: see at Joshua 9:17.

Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

18:11-28 The boundaries of each portion were distinctly drawn, and the inheritance of each tribe settled. All contests and selfish claims were prevented by the wise appointment of God, who allotted the hill and the valley, the corn and pasture, the brooks and rivers, the towns and cities. Is the lot of any servant of Christ cast in affliction and sorrow? It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good. Are we in prosperity and peace? It is from above. Be humbled when you compare the gift with your own unworthiness. Forget not Him that gave the good, and always be ready to resign it at his command.