A Song for Gideon: A tour, a story, and a battle

A typical summer hike usually ends with a cool dip in the water. Dr Assaf Zeltzer, from the Yad Ben Tzvi Institute, takes us to discover a new story in a familiar place: in the footsteps of Gideon, his warriors, and the Midianites in the area of Emek Harod. A tour of living history, breathtaking views - and there is also a pool
Assaf Zeltzer

Biblical stories are full of stormy plots and bloody battles that can reveal a new side to a familiar place. For example, a tour of the Jezreel Valley and the Harod Valley allows you to retrace the events of the famous battle between Gideon and the Midianites.

Over the years, while the area has undergone some changes, some of the scenery is exactly how it was, and the rest you can leave to your imagination. In this manner, you can identify the Kesulot Valley as the place where the Midianite army encamped; and the Ma'ayan Harod National Park as the site where Gideon conducted the famous selection ceremony of his soldiers.

The abundance of historical findings in the area beckons us to go out on a tour that begins with a lookout over the battlefield, and continues in the heels of the flight of the Midianites. After we crown Gideon a victorious hero, we can enter the Ma'ayan Harod National Park and retell the story of how the soldiers were chosen. At the end we will look out over the view of the valley from the home of Olga and Yehoshua Chenkin and for dessert we will enjoy the water attractions at the national park.

Can almost see the battle, Harod Valley (Photo: Yaffa Raziel)

On our way

We will begin the tour at the observation post over the Kesulot Valley, which is located at the bottom of Mount Nazareth and Mount Tabor, which is where the Midianite camp was located. This is apparently where Gideon arrived, on a one-man surveillance mission, to gather information on the Midianite camp and to plan the battle: “Gideon came there just as one man was narrating a dream to another” (Judges 7:13).

With the help of the information he gathered, Gideon planned to lead a surprise attack with the help of 300 choice fighters, which ended with the pursuit of the Midianites. They decided to attack during the changing of the Midianite guard, when the enemy was not on guard, and to reinforce the attack with noise and tumult: “He equipped every man with a ram’s horn and an empty jar, with a torch in each jar” (7:16).

We will continue with the battle, and go out to observe the retreat of the Midianite forces. Return to Route 716 and turn south and left towards Road 71. Travel towards Beit She'an, and enter Kibbutz Beit Hashita. At the edge of the ascent to the kibbutz, turn right and drive on the twisting road until the petting zoo, there turn left, and join the scenic path Park Tzvaim on the way to the Yos V’David lookout.

The pursuit of victory

Everything went according to plan, and the commotion that Gideon and his soldiers spread throughout the Midianite camp was so great that the Midianites began to run for their lives. From the lookout that we have climbed, you can notice the ridges of Ramot Yissachar, which is apparently where the Midianite army advanced and Gideon’s army chased them.

At this stage of the battle, Gideon summoned the reserve fighters who were designated for the chase (not before he was forced to deal with the egos of those who did not wish to participate in the battle at this point, which you can read about in Judges, 8:1-3). The Midianites fled toward the Jordan, and Gideon and his men crossed the Jordan in their wake and continued to surprise the Midianites with their tricks.

This battle came to its dramatic end when Gideon killed the kings of the Midianites “He captured Zebach and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, and threw the whole army into a panic” (8:10-13). The children of Israel admired Gideon for his victory, and asked him to establish a reigning dynasty.

Gideon wanted to prove that the source of the victory was God, and committed the single error in the battle: he requested the Lord’s response while wearing the golden vest (which was not derived from the Torah). This choice brought upon his end: “It became a snare to Gideon and his household” (8:27).

The victory in the battle is exactly the time to enjoy a little more of the views of the valley at our feet, and then to return from the chase and the battle to the beginning of the story - to the place where Gideon chose his soldiers.

Ma'ayan Harod National Park (Photo: Hilik Sharir)

Selection of the soldiers

Exit Kibbutz Beit Hashita and turn right towards Afula on Road 71. After you pass Kibbutz Geva, turn left according to the sign for the national park - Ma'ayan Harod. Park your car in the main parking lot, and before you enjoy the water attractions, go south towards the ridge of the Giboa and towards the springs.

Ma'ayan Harod, one of the springs along the length of the Harod River that flow towards the foot of the Gilboa, is the place where Gideon chose his soldiers: “Set apart all those who lap up the water with their tongues like dogs from all those who get down on their knees to drink” (7: 3-5). This is the mythological selection in which Gideon chose 300 soldiers out of thousands of volunteers.

This is where our tour in the footsteps of Gideon in the valley ends. In order to prolong your enjoyment of the breathtaking scenery, climb up to Olga and Yehoshua Chenkin’s nearby house. There you will find explanation signs concerning the house and the gravesite, and also, the view of the Harod Valley.

How to get there: The beginning of the tour is at the entrance to the settlement of Tamra. Drive on Route 716 and turn towards the settlement. Immediately after the turnoff from the main road you will see an observation balcony facing north, from which you can see the Kesulot Valley.

The writer is a coordinator and guide at the Yad Ben Tzvi Institute.

Additional articles in the series “Traveling with the Bible”:

King David in the Judean Lowlands

Philistines upon you Samson

Here lives the Jebusi family

In the footsteps of King Saul