Jezreel Valley from Mount Tabor 04

The Jezreel Valley is the setting for several Bible stories. “Jezreel” means “God scatters,” or “God sows.” The prophet Hosea told his audience that God was sowing judgment on the unrepentant northern kingdom. In the same way it takes time for seeds to mature into a harvest, it would take time before God’s judgement would be fully realized. Eventually, the Assyrians came into the northern kingdom and executed that judgement. This very fertile plain is heavily farmed and might be called the “breadbasket of the Galilee.” Little wonder the invading Midianites were in the Jezreel Valley when Gideon fought against them (Judges 6). The Philistines also wanted the land, which is why Saul fought them there (1 Samuel 29). Saul lost his life in that battle. In a few years, Solomon controlled the city, giving him the ability to charge a toll on travel and forge treaties in his favor with neighboring countries.