Tekoa

Tekoa was a town in the hill country of Judah, located about 10 miles south of Jerusalem. It is first mentioned as the birthplace of Ira, one of David's mighty men (2Sam. 23:26; 1Chr. 11:28). Tekoa was also the hometown of the wise woman who, at Joab's request, persuaded David to reconcile with his son Absalom (2Sam. 14:2-9). During the reign of Rehoboam, Tekoa was fortified as part of Judah's defense system (2Chr. 11:6). The town was the birthplace of the prophet Amos, who identified himself as "one of the shepherds of Tekoa" (Amo.1.1). Amos's rural background and proximity to the wilderness shaped his prophetic message. In the time of Jehoshaphat, the people of Judah gathered in the wilderness of Tekoa to seek God's help against their enemies (2Chr. 20:20). The town was also involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls during the time of Nehemiah (Neh. 3:5, 27). Jeremiah mentioned Tekoa in his prophecy, urging the people to flee and sound the trumpet of warning (Jer. 6:1).