Jerusalem and the Kidron Valley from the Air
The valley, or wide wady, that lies between the east of Jerusalem and the west of Mount Olivet. It is joined by the valley of Hinnom that runs along the south of Jerusalem, and it continues its course for about twenty miles to the Dead Sea. Though called a brook, it is now nearly always dry; this is supposed to be partially due to the amount of rubbish lying in the valley. Its true bottom has been found some forty feet below, and much nearer to the walls of the city. The side of the valley nearest the city is full of Mahometan graves, and on the eastern slope are the graves of the Jews, among which is the erection called the Pillar of Absalom. In Old Testament times it was treated as a defiled place. Asa burnt his mother’s idol there (1 Kings 15:13). Josiah also burnt there the symbols of idolatry (2 Kings 23:4,6,12); and by 2 Kings 23:6 and Jeremiah 31:40 it would appear to have been the common burial ground.
On the revolt of Absalom David crossed the brook before he climbed the mount of Olives. The Lord also crossed it on His last visit to Gethsemane, when He was about to be delivered up by Judas (2 Sam. 15:23,30; John 18:1), where the AV has CEDRON. See JEHOSHAPHAT, VALLEY OF.