1 Samuel 11:8

Bezek. Bezek, the meeting place for the tribal armies, is 12 3/4 mi. (20.4 km.) northeast of Shechem on the road to Beth-shan, and some 10 mi. (16 km.) southwest of Jabesh-gilead. It would not be too far for the northern tribes to march, but it is 42 1/4 mi. (67.6 km.) north of Jerusalem; thus it would be impossible for many from the tribe of Judah to assemble there within the given time. From Bezek, more than 1,000 ft. above sea level, the armies would descend via the Wadi el-Khashneh to the Jordan, at this point about 900 ft. below sea level. Fording that stream, they would proceed to the town a mile or so farther east. This gathering of armed men could be accomplished within a period of six days, and by marching from Bezek during the night Saul could reach Jabesh early in the morning of the seventh day. By the morning of the sixth day Saul had enough of an army present to assure the elders of Jabesh that they would have help on time.