In Bethlehem they met with another company of pilgrims, coming from Lachish, Adullam, and Libna, which lie westward of Bethlehem. All who could, endeavoured to make Bethlehem in their way to Jerusalem on these occasions. It was the city of David, the road passed by the grave of Rachel, and it was dear to many, as the city to which the greatest of all the promises had been given.
The elders of the different cities had soon agreed about the order of the march from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. The venerable pair, Mardochai of Ziph and his wife, were borne before, the elders followed, but without any distinctive badge, and the people arranged themselves as they chose. Some time, however, elapsed before they set out. There were greetings of friends and acquaintance, who met after a long interval; those who had travelled furthest needed refreshment. At length the Levites began their music and their songs, and the people set forward. They had soon descended from the heights of Bethlehem into the valley of Rephaim. As the living stream poured down from the hills, among the corn-fields and mulberry-groves of the vale, this was the praise of Jerusalem which ascended in a mingled strain of voices and instruments.
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion,
Which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
As the mountains are around Jerusalem,
So the Lord is round about his people,
From henceforth and for evermore:
For the sceptre of the wicked shall not remain on the lot of the righteous.
Do good, O Lord, unto those that are good,
To them that are upright in their hearts!