This was an extra trip half of the group did one weekend.  It was a popular trip because of its focus on the time that David spent as a fugitive running from Saul, because of the visit to Hebron, and because it was the only group overnighter of the semester.  Most of those who went memorized either Psalm 16 or 27 before they went. Hebron is the most important place that IBEX doesn't go as a class.  Why not?  Political tensions are a part of the answer; time is another.  The left picture is that of the Tomb of the Patriarchs built by Herod the Great.  Inside are cenotaphs marking the graves of Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Leah, and here, with Nate in the foreground, those of Rebekah and Isaac.   We watched the sun set as we left Hebron.  That means we hiked in the dark to get to our campsite. Our campsite was the same as David's - the Cave of Adullam (1 Sam 22).  He probably didn't think of it so much as camping out as hiding from the king's men.   Inside the cave we discussed and reflected about the psalms David wrote during this time. Josh grabbed a spot in the corner to write down some of the thoughts of the day.   Before hitting the sack, we all celebrated Sarah's birthday with some apple crisp that Phyllis sent along.  That was good stuff!  Probably better than David had even as a king!    Here's the cave.  There are dozens of caves on the hill of Adullam, but this is the nicest one for sleeping with a group and so we figure that David must have been in this one. Here's the hill of Adullam.  If you look carefully you can see Brian, Nate, Megan and Kim in the foreground.   Hey, don't give Kim a bad time.  What's wrong with carrying your makeup kit on a camping trip? Our second day of the trip was spent hiking through the Elah Valley.  This is where David and Goliath fought.  And though we don't know exactly where Goliath fell down, since we walked the whole thing, we know we were there!