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Casual English Bible

By Stephen M. Miller

Bible Maps Search Engine

Maps related to Beth-shan

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About the Casual English Bible Maps..

Bible maps make the Bible clearer

The Casual English Bible® maps tell Bible stories in a captivating way that engages even people who have never read the Bible. Lavishly detailed maps only make the stories of Jesus and others more compelling and easier to picture and to understand.

These 3D-style maps of Bible lands are created from blended high resolution satellite images, matched to precise elevation data from international space agencies.

How to search for maps

—Type “Galilee” into the Casual English Bible’s map search engine, below. Instantly, you’ll see dozens of beautiful maps…many in 3D style. Each one tracks with a different Bible story. These aren’t generic maps with a hundred place names.
—Type “Samson” into the Bible map search engine. You’ll see the tiny village where he lived in the Judean foothills below Jerusalem.
—Type “Corinthians” and you’ll see a gallery full of maps associated with Paul’s letters of 1, 2 Corinthians, to the church in Corinth, Greece.

3D sense of the lay of the land

Get a feel for the lay of the land:

—Ararat Mountains, where Noah’s boat ran aground. The Bible doesn’t say it was Mount Ararat.
—Judean hills where Joshua and the Israelites found most of their battles for the Promised Land. They avoided the plains, where their enemies with armored chariots had the advantage over Israel’s foot soldiers.
—Jesus’ 20-mile climb from Jericho and the Jordan River Valley upward half a mile high, to the crest of the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem.
—One surprise for some readers is the Jesus Triangle, a plug of ground between three cities. It’s where Jesus spent most of his ministry time. A person can walk that entire triangle in a single day. Type “Jesus triangle” to see it.

Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal map

Map Mount Gerizim Mount Ebal

Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal map

Bible Book: Deuteronomy Type: Maps Location: Beth-shan, Hazor, Jezreel Valley, Kadesh, Megiddo, Mount Carmel, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim, Nablus, Shechem, Shiloh, Tel Qedesh Era: Exodus
Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal map. When the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, Moses explained that Mount Ebal was to be used for curses and Gerizim for blessings.
Mt Gerizim, Mt. Ebal
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Map Road to Bethlehem

Joseph and Mary route to Bethlehem

Map Road to Bethlehem

Bible Book: Luke Type: Maps Location: Beth-shan, Bethel, Bethlehem, Caesarea, Capernaum, Galilee, Israel, Jaffa, Jericho, Jerusalem, Joppa, Nazareth, Samaria, Sebaste, Sychar Era: Jesus
Map Road to Bethlehem. Possible routes Mary and Joseph may have taken from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census ordered by the Romans. Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Road to Bethlehem
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Map, King of Ammon: “Israel’s people stole my land”

map of Ammon and neighboring tribes and kingdoms

Map, King of Ammon: "Israel's people stole my land"

Bible Book: Judges Type: Maps Location: Abel-keramim, Adam, Ammon, Arnon River, Aroer, Beth-shan, Dead Sea, Ephraim, Gad, Gilead, Heshbon, Israel, Jericho, Jezreel Valley, Jordan River, Manasseh, Mediterranean Sea, Moab, Mount Hermon, Ramoth in Gilead, Reuben, Succoth, Zaphon Era: Conquering Canaan

Map King of Ammon: "Israel's people stole my land"

AMMON ATTACKS ISRAEL

4People of Ammon later attacked Israelites living in the area. 5Israelite leaders went to Tob and asked Jephthah to come back with them. 6They told him, “We want you to command the army that will fight the Ammonites."

7Jephthah said, “You do, do you? Don’t you remember that you’re the people who kicked me out of my father’s house. And now you have the nerve to ask for my help when you’re in trouble?” 8The leaders of Gilead said, “Yes, we know. But we're coming to you anyhow, asking you to lead us in the battle. If you do, we’ll appoint you ruler of Gilead.” 

9Jephthah said, “Are you feeding me a line? If I come back with you, and the LORD lets me defeat the Ammonites, will you really do what you said—you’ll make me ruler?” 10The leaders of Gilead told Jephthah, “Yes. And we’ll make that promise with the LORD watching. Once you become our ruler, we’ll do whatever you say.” 11So Jephthah went back with the leaders, and they appointed him ruler of Gilead and commander of the army. He took the oath of leadership at a sacred site at Mizpah, with the LORD watching.

WORDS BEFORE THE WAR

12Jephthah sent a message to the king of Ammon, asking, “What’s the problem here? Why are you coming onto my land to fight me?”

13Ammon’s king sent a reply. “When Israel’s people came here from Egypt, they stole my land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River to the Jordan River. Give it back to me peacefully.”

14Jephthah answered the king. 15“This message is from Jephthah: Israel didn’t take land from the people of Moab or Ammon. 16When Israel came up here from Egypt, they traveled through barren wasteland and the Reed Sea,  on their way to the Kadesh oasis. 17Israel sent messengers to Edom’s king, asking, ‘Would you allow us to pass through your land?’ The king would not. Israel asked the same of Moab’s king, with the same result. So, Israel stayed at Kadesh for a while. 18When they started traveling again, they circled around Edom and Moab. To take that bypass, they had to walk through desolate land again. They camped on the far side of the Arnon River, to the east. They didn’t step on Moab’s land because Arnon marked the eastern boundary. 19Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled in his capital at Heshbon: ‘We would like permission to pass through your country.’ 20Sihon didn’t trust Israel enough to let them do that. So, he assembled his army and camped at Jahaz. That’s where he fought Israel. 21He lost. Because of it, the LORD gave Sihon and his people to Israel. So, Israel took the land and lived there.

Boundaries

22They controlled all the land you’re talking about, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert in the east to the Jordan River in the west. 23Israel’s God, the LORD, crushed the Amorites. Are you planning to step into this picture and pick up where they left off? 24Shouldn’t you be satisfied with what your god, Chemosh, gives you? And shouldn’t we be allowed to take everything the LORD, our God, gives us? 25Are you any better than Moab’s former king, Balak  the son of Zippor? Did he argue with Israel about the land? Did he go to war with them? 26Let’s be clear, you want land that Israel has lived on for 300 years. This includes the cities of Heshbon and Aroer along with their outlying communities along the Arnon River. If this land belonged to you, why didn’t you take it earlier? 27I haven’t done anything wrong to you. You’re the one causing trouble. You’re starting a war against me. The LORD will have the final say about all of this.” 28Jephthah’s message didn’t change the Ammonite king’s mind.

Judges 11, Casual English Bible

Compare with other Bible versions, Bible Gateway

 

King of Ammon: "Israel's people stole my land"
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Stealing King Saul’s body

3d Bible map of King Saul's death and burial for The Casual English Bible

Stealing King Saul's body

Bible Book: 1 Samuel Type: Maps Location: Beth-shan, Haifa, Hill of Moreh, Jabesh in Gilead, Jebus, Jerusalem, Jezreel Spring, Jezreel Valley, Jordan River, Magiddo, Mount Gilboa, Mount Tabor, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Shunem Era: Heroes, kings

Stealing King Saul's body

 

SAUL’S POSITION OVERRUN

Philistines attacked Saul’s Israelite army and sent the warriors running for their lives. Many died on Mount Gilboa. Philistines began to overrun King Saul’s position. They killed three of his sons there: Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

Saul falls on his sword

Philistines pushed hard, and soon the archers got Saul in range. They hit him and wounded him badly. Saul told the soldier in charge of his armor and weapons, “Finish this. Take your sword and drive it through me. I don’t want pagan Philistines to use me for target practice before they kill me,” The terrified soldier refused. So, Saul picked up his own sword and fell on it. When the soldier saw the king was dead, he fell on his sword, too. He died with his king. Saul and his three sons and his weapons man all died the same day.

THE KING IS DEAD

News of Israel’s defeat spread. Many Israelites emptied their towns because they knew the Philistines were coming to take them. These included Israelites beyond the north side of the Jezreel valley and Israelites east of the Jordan River. Philistines moved into those homes. The story is in 1 Samuel 31. For other Bible versions, see Bible Gateway.  
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Philistines go to war with Israel

3d Bible map of Philistines leaving Aphek to destroy King Saul's army at Mount Gilboa. For The Casual English Bible.

Philistines go to war with Israel

Bible Book: 1 Samuel Type: Maps Location: Aphek, Beth-shan, Caesarea, Carmel mountains, Endor, Haifa, Jaffa, Jebus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jezreel Valley, Megiddo, Mount Carmel, Mount Gilboa, Netanya, Shunem, Tel Aviv Era: Heroes, kings

Philistines prep for war with Israel

King Saul and three sons will die in the battle

Philistines assembled their armies at Aphek. Israel’s warriors gathered at Jezreel Spring. Philistine rulers led their armies into the camp, marching them in companies of 100 or battalions of 1,000. King Achish’s army from Gath arrived last, with David’s army marching at the rear.

Shocked to see David marching with Philistines

Philistine commanders were shocked to see David there, with his men. They said, “Are you kidding? Hebrews? What are they doing here? That’s David, one of Saul’s men.” King Achish said, “Not anymore. He’s with me now. He defected over a year ago. And he has never given me any reason to doubt him.” Philistine commanders didn’t buy it. Furious, they told Achish, “Send that guy back to wherever you had him. We don’t want him up here in the battle. He might turn on us. If he gave our heads to Saul, that would go a long way to restoring their friendship. This is the guy who got the Hebrews dancing as they sang:  

Song of David, not so much of King Saul

Saul killed a thousand men. David, a thousand times ten.

David an "angel"

Achish told David, “I know you’re an honest man. I’d swear it. In all the time you’ve been with me, I’ve seen you do nothing wrong. If it were up to me, I’d take you into battle alongside me and my men. But the other rulers won’t let me. So go back peacefully. Don’t cause a scene or do anything to upset the Philistine rulers.” David said, “I don’t understand this. What have I done wrong? Name one thing in all the time I’ve been with you. Why am I suddenly not fit to fight the enemies of my king?” Achish said, “David, as far as I’m concerned, you’re as righteous as an angel. But the commanders don’t want you in this fight. They said, ‘He’s not going into the battle with us. Period.’ Spend the night here, but I want you to leave at dawn. Take your men back to their regular duties.”

David skips the battle

David and his men left for Philistine territory early the next morning. But the Philistine armies marched up to Jezreel. 1 Samuel 29
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3D Bible map of the Battle of Jabesh Gilead

Bible map of the battle of Jabesh for the Casual English Bible

3D Bible map of the Battle of Jabesh Gilead

Bible Book: 1 Samuel Type: Maps Location: Abel-keramim, Adam, Ammon, Arnon River Moab, Aroer, Beth-shan, Bethel, Bezek, Gibeah, Gibeon, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jabesh-gilead, Jebus, Jerusalem, Khirbet Ibziq, Medeba, Mt Gerizim, Mt. Ebal, Mt. Hermon, Rabbah, Ramoth Gilead, Succoth, Tell Maqlub, Zaphon Era: Heroes, kings, Prophets, Jews exiled

3D Bible map of the Battle of Jabesh in Gilead

Battle for Israel's right eyeballs and depth perception

Ammonite King Nahash takes his army and surrounds the Israelite town of Jabesh in Gilead. Centuries earlier, Moses and the invading Hebrews won the land from Ammon in a war the Ammonites started. Now King Nahash was coming to take it back...and to humiliate Israel in the process. When city leaders ask for peace terms, the king says, “Sure, I’ll give you peace. But you give me your right eyes. I’ll use this to disgrace Israel” (1 Samuel 11:2). King Saul of Israel gets the news at the end of a day of herding and farming. "God’s Spirit filled Saul and anger set him on fire. He slaughtered a team of two oxen, cut them to pieces, and dropped them in the mail—special delivery. He gave them to couriers to spread them throughout Israel. The meat came with a message: 'What happened to this ox will happen to you if you don’t come now and follow Saul and Samuel.' That terrified people. They came in a big way." He rallies an army of 300,000 Israelites.. "Saul told the messengers to say this to the people of Jabesh in Gilead, 'We’ll rescue you by the time the sun gets hot tomorrow.' People in Jabesh were elated to hear that. Jabesh Jews weren’t entirely honest with the Ammonites. They said, “We’ll surrender tomorrow, and you can do whatever you want to us.” When tomorrow came, so did King Saul. He divided his massive army into three battalions. And he surprised the enemy with a wake-up call during the early morning watch, sometime between 2-6 a.m. He slaughtered Ammonites all morning and into the heat of the day. Enemy survivors ran for their lives, scattered so wildly that each man ran on his own. Not even two ran together.". Saul preserves Israel's honor and depth perception. You can read the story in 1 Samuel 11. And you can check it out in other Bible translations at Bible Gateway.
Battle of Jabesh
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Map of Samuel’s world

map of the prophet Samuel's world in the 1000s BC

Map of Samuel's world

Bible Book: 1 Samuel Type: Maps Location: Achshaph, Achzib, Adullam, Ai, Aijalon, Ammon, Aphek, Arad, Aroer, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ashtaroth, Azekah, Beersheba, Beth Horon, Beth-horan, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bethel, Bethlehem, Bezer, Canaan, Damascus, Dan, Dead Sea, Debir, Dor, Edom, Edrei, Ekron, En-gedi, Endor, Gath, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Gezer, Gibeah, Gibeon, Gilead, Golan, Gomorrah, Hebron, Heshbon, Israel, Jebus, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jezreel Spring, Joppa, Jordan River, Judah, Kadesh Oasis, Kiriath-jearim, Lachish, Laish, Lo-debar, Lodebar, Madon, Makkedah, Map cities in Bible times, Mareshah, Masada, Mediterranean Sea, Mephaath, Merom Springs, Miezep, Moab, Moresheth, Mount Carmel, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim, Mount Hermon, Mount Nebo, Mount Seir, Mount Tabor, Mt. Seir, Negev, Nob, Numera, Petra, Putnon, Rabbah, Ramah, Ramoth in Gilead, Samaria the city, Shiloh, Socoh, Sodom, Timnath-heres, Well of Harod, Zoar Era: Heroes, kings, Prophets, Jews exiled

Map of Samuel's world

God picks three longshot characters to star in the stories of 1 Samuel, which we track on 3D-style maps customized for each Bible chapter. Those three men—Samuel, Saul, and David—are longshots in the sense that if God ever bets on a horserace, he’ll pick the one with the worst odds. It seems God likes to win big. And he likes to make a splash that people will notice. These stories are action dramas about the morphing of Israel’s 12 tribes into one united nation under God.

Mapping Samuel's story

It all begins with Samuel as a longshot baby born to an infertile woman. Once he’s able to eat solid food, his mother gives him back to God. She takes him to the worship center, where he’s raised by Eli, a priest who did a bad job raising his own two sons. They grew up to become corrupt priests. But somehow, Samuel grew into a wonderful priest and prophet.

Tracking Saul

Israel’s first king, Saul, was a shy donkey herder until Samuel anointed him king—a job Saul didn’t want. When Samuel called in Israel’s tribal leaders and announced Saul as king, Saul wasn’t there. He was hiding among the baggage of the travelers. It seems a fair guess he was hanging with the donkeys who had hauled the baggage. King Saul made two huge mistakes. He disobeyed God’s strict orders. And he got insanely jealous of David’s popularity. He seemed to devote more time to hunting David than to preparing for the threat of Philistines living next door, along the coastland. David never showed any desire to kill Saul. Philistines killed him and three of his sons.

Tracking David

The Goliath Killer was the last son of nine—the runt of a shepherd’s family at a time when shepherds had only one way to go on the social ladder. Up. When the famous prophet and priest Samuel came to meet the family so he could anoint a future king, David’s dad called in all his sons but David. The youngest stayed with the livestock until Samuel insisted on meeting him, too. By the last chapter in the book, Samuel and Saul are dead. So, David is no longer a refugee on the run from the king. He’s an experienced raider of non-Israelite towns. And he shares the livestock he takes with his friends and the leaders of his own tribe of Judah. That sets him up for the story that continues in 2 Samuel, when those friends will crown him king of Judah. Other tribes will follow later, to make him king of all Israel.

ONE BOOK SPLIT IN TWO

First and Second Samuel were written as one book. But it was too long to fit on a single scroll. So, when Jewish scholars translated it into the international language of the day, Greek, in the decades before Jesus was born, they split it into two books. They did the same with the books of Kings and Chronicles. The story begins here, in 1 Samuel 1. So do the Bible maps of Samuel's world. To compare the story to other Bible versions, try Bible Gateway.  
Samuel's World
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