that portion of country extending from the Jordan eastward to the desert lands forming a portion of Arabia and included between Arnon on the south and Yarmuk on the north, though the boundaries are not very definitely determined. Most of the country is fertile, well watered and has a luxuriant vegetation. This is the land given the tribes of Gad, Reuben and a part of the tribe of Manasseh, when the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land (See Numbers XXI, 21). During all the history of the Israelites, Gilead was a sort of land of asylum, to which those who were not in harmony with the government could flee. It was the refuge for Absalom when he fled from his father, and during Absalom's rebellion it served David for a similar purpose. It was the home of Elijah and Saul, and Saul with his sons was buried there. See PALESTINE.