En Gedi

Map Wikipedia

After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, ‘David is in the Desert of En Gedi.’ So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 1 Samuel 24:1-2

En Gedi Nature Reserve

A wild goat living among the crags at En Gedi
A map of En Gedi Nature Reserve
Two children at a waterfall
A wild goat having a rest at En Gedi
Ascending Wadi (means ravine in Arabic) David at En Gedi Nature Reserve (360 Panorama)

Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar’ (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:2-4

Amazing rock formations ...
and vibrant colours too!
A sign post to "David Waterfall"
Lots of walking opportunities at En Gedi
Climbing up Wadi David towards David Waterfall (360 Panorama)
Secluded waterfalls, hidden along the way by dense undergrowth (360 Panorama)

He asked me, ‘Son of man, do you see this?’ Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, ‘This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds – like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.’ Ezekiel 47:6-12 [Note: This is prophecy]

David Falls, the highlight at En Gedi Nature Reserve
The view around David Waterfall (360 Panorama) - WAIT! Where are all the people?
There we are! ... reading our Bibles (360 Panorama)

My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts. My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. He: How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves. Song of Solomon 1:13-15

One of the many caves at En Gedi
The steep path down
Returning down the valley at En Gedi (360 Panorama)
Paths, bridges and waterfalls on the way down (360 Panorama)
A view of the whole of the main valley at En Gedi (360 Panorama)
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