As its name indicates, Ramoth-gilead was in the territory of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. It was in the region of the ill-defined border between the tribes of East Manasseh and Gad, and was one of the three cities of refuge in Israel’s trans-Jordan territory (Joshua 20:8-9). (For maps and other details see CITY OF REFUGE; GILEAD.)
Ramoth-gilead’s chief importance was as a defence outpost on the nation’s eastern frontier. Many battles were fought there, and the town often fell to invading armies (1 Kings 22:1-40; 2 Kings 8:28-29; 2 Kings 9:1-16). It was among the first places to fall when Assyria conquered Israel and carried the people into captivity (2 Kings 15:29).