שמואל א, פרק י״ג, פסוק י״ח

Rather than launching a full-scale attack with the entire army, military units are dispatched on missions of punishment and looting to strike fear into the Israelite camp [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The armed force divides, with one unit turning toward Beit Horon and a second unit heading toward the border. This border area is situated in a prominent position, clearly visible to anyone standing in the valley below [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].

The valley takes its name from the specific wildlife living there. The primary approach among commentators explains that this creature is not a hyena, as the modern translation might suggest, but rather a dangerous, venomous viper. This harmful snake received its specific name due to its unique skin, which features a wide variety of shifting colors [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. Following this route, the path chosen by the military unit eventually leads out toward the desert [מצודת דוד].