The instruments now struck in with a louder tone, and the multitude lifted up its voice, as the words of Jehovah were repeated. This is my rest for ever; Here will I dwell: for I have chosen it. I will abundantly bless her provision, I will satisfy her poor with bread; I will clothe her priests with salvation, Her holy ones shall shout aloud for joy. There will I exalt the might of David And prepare a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame, But on his head shall the crown flourish. Proceeding in this way they reached Bethlehem Ephratah, “little among the thousands of Judah,” and yet so highly honoured. Both its names allude to the fertility of the country in which it stands. Bethlehem signifies _the place of bread_; and Ephratah, _fruitful_. In its luxuriant pastures Jacob fed his flocks; in its fertile fields Boaz was reaping when he found his kinswoman Ruth. Here his seven sons were born to Jesse, and here the man after God’s own heart grew up, till the day when he came forth to avenge the honour of his people on the boastful heathen. Bethlehem is a small town, six sabbath-days’ journies from the holy city. It is situated upon a narrow, rocky ridge, surrounded by vallies and hills, having an extensive view over the diversified country in its neighbourhood, the region around Jericho, the Dead Sea, and the Arabian mountains. Before its gates you look to the plain of the valley of Rephaim, and all around is the garden of God. The Kedron flows through its fruitful fields, which are thickly set with olives and figtrees, with vines and corn. But its greatest glory is that of which Micah prophetically speaks, “And thou Bethlehem Ephratah, who art little among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall he come forth that is to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”[102] Footnote 102: Micah v. 2. 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.