Secu
Secu is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Samaria in modern-day Israel. Known today as between Gibeah and Ramah. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Secu (also spelled Secu or Sechu) appears in 1 Samuel 19:22 during the dramatic narrative of Saul's pursuit of David. After David fled from Saul's court with the help of Michal, Saul sent messengers to capture him at Ramah, where Samuel presided over a company of prophets. When three successive groups of messengers were overcome by the Spirit of God and began prophesying instead of arresting David, Saul himself set out for Ramah. Stopping at "the great well that is in Secu," Saul inquired about the whereabouts of Samuel and David. He was told they were at Naioth in Ramah. Upon arriving there, the Spirit of God came upon Saul as well, and he stripped off his robes and prophesied before Samuel, lying naked all day and night. This episode gave rise to the proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Samuel 19:24). Secu thus marks a waypoint in one of Scripture's most remarkable demonstrations of divine sovereignty overriding human hostility, as God repeatedly thwarted Saul's murderous intentions through the irresistible power of His Spirit.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The precise location of Secu remains uncertain. Based on the narrative context of 1 Samuel 19:22, it lay along the route between Gibeah (Saul's capital, identified with Tell el-Ful north of Jerusalem) and Ramah (Samuel's home, likely modern er-Ram). The site was apparently known for a prominent well or cistern, which served as a natural gathering point where travelers could seek information. No definitive archaeological identification has been established, though several sites in the hills of Benjamin between these two towns have been proposed. The territory of Benjamin, characterized by rocky limestone hills with numerous natural cisterns and caves, contains many unexcavated ancient sites that could potentially correspond to this biblical location.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Sam
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →