1 Kings 9:17 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Beth-horon the nether. — The name “Beth-horon” (“the house of caves,”) was given to two small towns or villages (still called Beit-ûr), near Gezer, commanding the steep and rugged pass from the maritime plain, celebrated for three great victories of Israel — the great victory of Joshua (Joshua, 10), the victory of Judas Maccabæus (1Ma. 3:13-24), and the last victory of the Jews over the Roman army of Cestius Gallus, before the fall of Jerusalem (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, ii. 19). The lower Beth-horon stands On a low eminence on the edge of the plain.