En Gedi is a nature preserve on the western side of the Dead Sea. It contains four springs and it is surrounded by cliffs. According to 1 Samuel 23:29 , David stayed in En Gedi when he running from Saul, and the kings of Judah used the area to grow persimmons and dates. During the Hasmonean period (beginning in the 150's BCE) a settlement was founded there, and it became a major royal city for the hasmonean kings. The settlement was destroyed during the Bar Kokhba Revolt and rebuilt in the third century. This Byzantine Jewish settlement was abandoned around 550 CE when the Byzantine empire fell, but the beautiful Byzantine syangogue was built on the site during that time.
En Gedi is a beautiful place with many animals and wonderful scenery. It is not hard to see why King David decided to stay here; it is certainly fit for a king.
Link: Jewish Virtual Library.
Link: En Gedi at the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority
Link: En Gedi Archaeological Expedition from Hebrew University
Link: Jewish Agency for Israel
