Abelbethmaachah
[A’bel-beth-ma’achah]
A city of importance in the extreme North of Palestine in the lot of Naphtali or Manassth: it is mentioned with Ijon and Dan. In 2Sa 20:15 it is called ‘Abel of BETH-MAACHAH’ and the wisdom of its rulers was said to be proverbial, 2Sa 20:18. It was here that Sheba took shelter from Joab, but was put to death by the inhabitants. It was taken with other cities by Benhadad, 1Ki 15:20, and subsequently by Tiglath-pileser, 2Ki 15:29, when its inhabitants were carried away captive to Assyria. It is called ABEL-MAIM in 2Ch 16:4. This has been identified with Abl, 33 15′ N, 35 34′ E.