Gallim
Gallim is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Khirbet Kakul. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Gallim was a small settlement in the hill country of Benjamin, mentioned twice in the Old Testament in notably different contexts. In 1 Samuel 25:44, it is noted as the hometown of Paltiel son of Laish, to whom Saul gave his daughter Michal after David's exile — a union that complicated David's later demand for Michal's return (2 Samuel 3:15–16). The second reference appears in Isaiah 10:30, within the prophet's vivid description of the Assyrian army's march toward Jerusalem. In his poetic oracle, Isaiah calls out to the inhabitants of Gallim to cry aloud as the enemy advances through Benjamin's towns. This passage establishes Gallim as one of a chain of settlements along the Assyrian invasion route. Though modest in size and historical prominence, Gallim's appearance in both a narrative concerning David's household and a prophetic warning against Assyrian aggression illustrates how even small Judean settlements were woven into the grand tapestry of Israel's history and prophetic literature.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Gallim is tentatively identified with Khirbet Kakul, a ruined site in the Judean hills of Benjamin. The identification is based primarily on the site's location along plausible ancient routes through the region and general proximity to other towns named in Isaiah 10's Assyrian march narrative. Archaeological surveys of the area have noted surface pottery consistent with Iron Age occupation, which aligns with the periods when Gallim appears in the biblical text. No major excavation has been conducted at Khirbet Kakul, and the identification remains provisional. The broader Benjamin hill country has yielded significant Iron Age remains at nearby sites such as Gibeah and Michmash.
Verse Appearances (2)
1Sam
Isa
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →