Shaaraim

The name Shaaraim attaches to two distinct settlements: a town in the territorial allotment of Judah, also written as Sharaim, and a town in the cities of Simeon held until the reign of David.

A Town in Judah

Shaaraim appears in the Shephelah cluster of Judah's allotment, listed alongside Adithaim, Gederah, and Gederothaim: "and Shaaraim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages" (Jos 15:36).

The town reappears as a landmark in the rout that follows the fall of Goliath. As Israel and Judah pursue the broken Philistine line, the trail of casualties marks the road back toward Philistia: "the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron" (1Sa 17:52). Shaaraim is the first named point on the retreat from the Valley of Elah toward the Philistine cities.

A Town in Simeon

A Shaaraim is also listed among the cities held by Simeon until the early monarchy: "and at Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susim, and at Beth-biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities to the reign of David" (1Ch 4:31). The closing note fixes the list to the period before the Davidic administration of the region.