Michmash
   something hidden, a town of Benjamin (Ezra 2:27), east of Bethel
   and south of Migron, on the road to Jerusalem (Isa. 10:28). It
   lay on the line of march of an invading army from the north, on
   the north side of the steep and precipitous Wady es-Suweinit
   ("valley of the little thorn-tree" or "the acacia"), and now
   bears the name of Mukhmas. This wady is called "the passage of
   Michmash" (1 Sam. 13:23). Immediately facing Mukhmas, on the
   opposite side of the ravine, is the modern representative of
   Geba, and behind this again are Ramah and Gibeah.
   
     This was the scene of a great battle fought between the army
   of Saul and the Philistines, who were utterly routed and pursued
   for some 16 miles towards Philistia as far as the valley of
   Aijalon. "The freedom of Benjamin secured at Michmash led
   through long years of conflict to the freedom of all its kindred
   tribes." The power of Benjamin and its king now steadily
   increased. A new spirit and a new hope were now at work in
   Israel. (See SAUL.)