MAHANAIM
Name given by Jacob to a place on the east bank of the Jordan, where he found angels of God, forming approximately two cohorts (Gen. 32:2).
On the borders of Gad and Manasseh (Josh. 13:26, 30), this locality was assigned to the Levites descended from Merari (Josh. 21:38; 1 Chron. 6:80).
Originally a holy place, Mahanaim eventually became a fortified city and capital of Ish-bosheth (2 Sam. 2:8, 12, 29).
David retreated there when his rebellious son Absalom occupied Jerusalem (2 Sam. 17:24, 27; 18:24, 33; 19:32; 1 Kings 2:8).
Ahinadab, son of Iddo, was Solomon’s steward in this region (1 Kings 4:14).
Mahanaim has not yet been definitively identified, although Khirbet Mahneh, about 7 km north of Ajlun, is proposed.