Gihon
The spring of Gihon emerges as one of the four rivers flowing from the garden of Eden, symbolizing the life-giving waters that sustain God's creation from the beginning. In the history of Israel, this same source near Jerusalem became the place where Zadok and Nathan anointed Solomon as king, marking the establishment of the Davidic line according to divine promise. Later, King Hezekiah skillfully rerouted its waters through a tunnel into the city, ensuring Jerusalem's survival during times of siege and demonstrating faith in God's protective care over His people.
Details
- Region
- Jerusalem
- Modern Location
- Gihon Spring, East Jerusalem, Israel
Key Passages
Solomon Anointed at Gihon
1 Kings 1:38-39
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint Solomon king at the Gihon spring.
38o Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king Davidโs mule, and brought him to Gihon.
Hezekiah's Waterworks
2 Chronicles 32:30
Hezekiah stops the upper watercourse of Gihon and channels it underground to the west side of the City of David.
30his same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
River of Eden
Genesis 2:13
Gihon is named as the second river that compasses the whole land of Ethiopia.
13nd the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.