Gederoth is a town mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah. It is listed among the cities in the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. In Joshua 15:41, Gederoth is mentioned alongside other towns such as Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah. The name "Gederoth" is derived from the Hebrew word for "walls" or "enclosures," suggesting it may have been a fortified settlement. The town is also noted in 2 Chronicles 28:18, where it is recorded that the Philistines captured Gederoth during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah: "The Philistines also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah. They captured Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages, and they settled there."

Soco

Soco, also referred to as Socoh or Shochoh, is another town in the Shephelah of Judah. It is mentioned in several biblical passages, including Joshua 15:35, where it is listed among the towns in the lowland region. Soco is perhaps most famously known as the location near the Valley of Elah, where the Philistines encamped before the battle in which David defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1): "Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim." The town's strategic location made it a site of military significance. Soco is also mentioned in 2 Chronicles 28:18 as one of the towns captured by the Philistines during the reign of Ahaz.

Timnah

Timnah, sometimes spelled Timnath, is a town with a rich biblical history, appearing in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. It is located in the territory of Judah, as noted in Joshua 15:10, where the boundary of Judah is described as passing along the side of Timnah. Timnah is perhaps best known for its association with Samson, the judge of Israel. In Judges 14:1-2, Samson visits Timnah and desires a Philistine woman from there as his wife: "One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. So he returned and told his father and mother, 'I have seen a young Philistine woman in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.'" This event sets off a series of conflicts between Samson and the Philistines. Timnah is also mentioned in 2 Chronicles 28:18 as one of the towns captured by the Philistines during the reign of Ahaz.

Gimzo

Gimzo is a lesser-known town mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judah. It is specifically noted in 2 Chronicles 28:18 as one of the towns captured by the Philistines during the reign of King Ahaz: "The Philistines also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah. They captured Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages, and they settled there." The capture of Gimzo, along with other towns, highlights the period of vulnerability and decline in Judah during Ahaz's reign. The name "Gimzo" is thought to be derived from a word meaning "sycamore," suggesting the presence of such trees in the area. The town's exact location is not definitively known today, but it is believed to have been situated in the fertile lowlands of Judah.