Bible Dictionary
Gilboa
Gilboa was a mountain range east of the plain of Esdraelon. It was the scene of Saul’s defeat and death, along with the deaths of his sons, at the hands of the Philistines.
Definition
Gilboa was a low, barren mountain range east of the plain of Esdraelon, near Jezreel and between the plain and the Jordan valley.
Biblical Usage
Gilboa was the scene of Saul’s disastrous defeat by the Philistines. Saul’s sons, including Jonathan, were killed there, and Saul died there. David lamented the event in the Song of the Bow.
Historical Background
The range is identified with the ridge now called Jebel Fukua or Jelbou, stretching eastward from the ruins of Jezreel.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Boiling spring, a mountain range, now Jebel Fukua’, memorable as the scene of Saul’s disastrous defeat by the Philistines. Here also his three sons were slain, and he himself died by his own hand (1 Sam. 28:4; 31:1-8; 2 Sam. 1:6-21; 21:12; 1 Chr. 10:1, 8). It was a low barren range of mountains bounding the valley of Esdraelon (Jezreel) on the east, between it and the Jordan valley. When the tidings of this defeat were conveyed to David, he gave utterance to those pathetic words in the “Song of the Bow” (2 Sam. 1:19-27).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(a bubbling spring) a mountain range on the eastern side of the plain of Esdraelon, rising over the city of Jezreel. Comp. (1 Samuel 28:4) with 1Sam 29:1 It is mentioned in Scripture only in connection with one event in Israelitish history, the defeat and death of Saul and Jonathan by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 31:11; 2 Samuel 1:6; 21:12; 1 Chronicles 10:1,8) Of the identity of Gilboa with the ridge which stretches eastward from the ruins of Jezreel no doubt can be entertained. The village is now called Jelbou .