Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(justice of the people). (1) A city of Canaan allotted to Judah (Gen. 38:1; Josh. 12:15; 15:35; 2 Chron. 11:7). Repeopled after the captivity (Neh. 11:30). (2) The cave Adullam was David’s hiding-place, where his friends gathered (1 Sam. 22:1; 2 Sam. 23:13; 1 Chron. 11:15).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
One of the royal cities of Canaan, afterward part of Judah’s lot (Josh. 12:15; 15:35). It was rebuilt or fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chron. 11:7); and was dwelt in by some who returned from exile (Neh. 11:30; Mic. 1:15). Identified with Aid-el-ma, a name similar to Adullam, 31° 39' N, 35° 0' E. More interest attaches to the cave of Adullam than to the city, because of its having been a stronghold of David. In the locality of the place named above there are limestone cliffs, in which are extensive excavations, one of which may have been David’s Cave of Adullam. This is in the low country and all David’s house went down from the hills of Bethlehem to him (1 Sam. 22:1). The traditional site is a cave in the Wady Khureitun on the east part of Judah. It is approached by a narrow footpath (now partly blocked up by a fallen rock) which could easily be defended, and the cave is very large. Both this and other caves near where the city of Adullam was located are by different travelers strongly advocated as the true site. The Cave of Adullam has become a proverbial expression for a refuge in distress, because there gathered to David, besides his relatives, “every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented,” or bitter of soul, and he became their captain (1 Sam. 22:1-2; 2 Sam. 23:13; 1 Chron. 11:15). David was God’s anointed king, and the prophet Gad went to him, and Abiathar the priest; so that with that outcast company were God’s prophet, priest, and king, though all the outward forms of worship were elsewhere: typical of the Lord Jesus in His rejection. When on earth the outward forms were not with Him; and now that He is in glory His virtual rejection is still as complete even by some in Christendom.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Transliteration:
`Adullam
Meaning:
probably from the passive participle of the same as 5724; Adullam, a place in Palestine
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
Struck; i. e., with terror; their ornament:―a place in Palestine, Josh. 12:15. {Percussum}