the Nile,26 to Labo of Hamath (Lebo Hamath, NIV, REB, NEB, NRSV; ‘the entrance of Hamath’, RSV), probably modern Lebweh at the watershed of the Beqa‘ valley. This extended Israel is based on Joshua’s vision of the Promised Land, and David here is the one who turned hope into reality (cf. Josh. 13:2–5).27 Baalah, on the Judean-Philistine border, where the ark had been abandoned (= Baale-Judah, 2 Sam. 6:2), seems to be understood as an alternative name for Kiriath Jearim, on the basis of Joshua 15:9
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