GILBOA (RIDGE)

'Gilboa' () is a ridge above the Valley of Jezreel in Israel. The ridge extends east-west and is west of the Jordan River. The name is referenced in the Hebrew Bible, sometimes as Mount Gilboa. The ridge also lent its name to the second battle (the Battle of Gilboa) fought in the valley below, in which the Philistines defeated Saul the King and Israel. (Book of Samuel)
Every year, in early spring, the Iris haynei (, ''Irus Ha-Gilboa'') flower grows on the mountain, and visitors from all over Israel come to see the purple flower.
There are two religious kibbutzim on the mountain, Ma'ale Gilboa and Merav, named after one of Saul's daughters, as well as a drug rehabilitation centre called Malkishua. Ma'ale Gilboa has in it a yeshiva (Talmudical school), Yeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa. The Israeli government had proposed a new community on the mountain, Michal named after Saul's other daughter Michal. However, environmentalists and other residents had been vehement in their opposition to this project fearing that Michal would destroy more green space and threaten the Irises which are unique to this area. Other opposition questioned the need of an additional village when the existing villages were themselves trying to attract new residents and expand.
Some towns in the United States have been named after it (see Gilboa).