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.)