En Gedi is an oasis on the Western side of the Dead Sea. It is 17 miles from Jericho and 35 from Jerusalem.
En Gedi means ‘Spring of the Kid’. Date – Palms,Vineyards, abundant water and a pleasant climate in Winter made it a much sought after place in Biblical times. Solomon compared his love to a “cluster of henna flowers among the vines of En Gedi.
Song of Songs 1:14.
Ibex kids
Above the town, overlooking the Dead Sea is the remains of a Temple in use around 3,000 BC. Many copper utensils found in a nearby cave are thought to have belonged
to the Temple.
Around the year 1,000 David took refuge from Saul at En Gedi. Abundant water and a barren hinterland offered many places to hide.
While there are fresh water springs, salinity is high in others.
Pool of lovers
Saul. 1. Sam. 24.7-10. “Then Saul got up and left the
cave, and went on his way. Afterwards David also rose up
and went out of the cave and called after Saul, "My lord the
king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with
his face to the ground, and did obeisance…'David seeks to do you harm'? This very day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.'
