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AIJALON
1. City located in a valley 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Jerusalem (at modern Yalo) and originally allotted to Dan’s tribe (Jos 19:42). Aijalon was designated as one of four levitical cities in Dan’s area (Jos 21:24) and was later made a city of refuge by Ephraim’s tribe (1 Chr 6:69). Dan’s tribe had by then migrated north, having been unable to occupy its southerly allotment, including Aijalon (Jgs 1:34-36). Near Aijalon, Saul and Jonathan won a victory over the Philistines (1 Sm 14:31). Members of Benjamin’s tribe occupied it at one time (1 Chr 8:13).
When the kingdom was divided after Solomon’s death, Aijalon, on the northwest border of the southern kingdom, was fortified by King Rehoboam (2 Chr 11:10). It was one of 65 cities claimed to have been conquered by the Egyptian pharaoh Shishak, who invaded Palestine around 924 BC (2 Chr 12:2-12). Much later, Aijalon was lost to the Philistines during the reign of Ahaz (2 Chr 28:18).
The valley of Aijalon was part of the geographical setting of Joshua’s battle to control Gibeon (Jos 10:12, NLT). To make the Israelite victory complete, God answered Joshua’s prayer to “let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon” (Jos 10:12).
See also Cities of Refuge; Levitical Cities.
2. City in the territory of Zebulun, burial place of the judge Elon (Jgs 12:12).