A city of importance in the extreme North of Palestine in the lot of Naphtali or Manasseh: it is mentioned with Ijon and Daniel. In 2 Samuel 20:15 it is called “Abel of BETH-MAACHAH” and the wisdom of its rulers was said to be proverbial (2 Sam. 20:18). It was here that Sheba took shelter from Joab, but was put to death by the inhabitants. It was taken with other cities by Benhadad (1 Kings 15:20), and subsequently by Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29), when its inhabitants were carried away captive to Assyria. It is called ABEL-MAIM in 2 Chron. 16:4. This has been identified with Abl, 33° 15' N, 35° 34' E.