The town is known by its connection with the Philistine war of Saul and Jonathan, and a battle was fought there which was later recounted in the Bible. In 1 Samuel 13 ‘And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmas.’ According to the Bible, King Saul's son Jonathan was able to beat the Philistines by stepping out on faith in God, which caused panic throughout and a Philistine rout.