View from the top of Beth Shemesh looking west at the Sorek Valley. Down the valley (away from viewer) is where Timnah (4.5 mi. [7 km.]) is located—Samson married a woman from there (Judges 14:1–3). Beyond the distant left horizon is where Ekron (7.5 mi. [12 km.]) is located—from which the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4–6).
The valley was known for grapes (Judges 14:5; 15:5, olives (Judges 15:5), wheat (Judges 15:1; 1 Sam 13:13), lions (Judges 14), and foxes (Judges 15:4-5)!
For a brief description of Beth Shemesh and its biblical significance and a map Click Here.