Sulam

Sulam סוּלַם‎ سولم
Sulam, seen from Nabi Dahi
Sulam
Coordinates: 32°36′20.28″N 35°20′3.50″E / 32.6056333°N 35.3343056°E / 32.6056333; 35.3343056Coordinates: 32°36′20.28″N 35°20′3.50″E / 32.6056333°N 35.3343056°E / 32.6056333; 35.3343056
Grid position	181/223 PAL
District	Northern
Council	Bustan al-Marj
Population (2015)	2,467

Sulam (Arabic: سولم‎‎; Hebrew: סוּלַם‎) is an Arab village in north-eastern Israel. Known in ancient times as Shunama and Shunem, it is first mentioned in the Amarna Letters in the 14th century BCE. Archaeological excavations in the village attest to habitation extending from the Bronze Age through to modern times. Located near Afula, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bustan al-Marj Regional Council. In 2015 it had a population of 2,467.

In the Amarna letters, 14th century BCE clay tablets written in the cuneiform script of the Akkadian language, the village is listed under its ancient name of Shunama, as one of several cities conquered by the Canaanite warlord Lab'ayu in the Dothan Valley and southern Jezreel Valley. Sulam is also identified with the biblical village of Shunem, which is said to be of the tribe of Issachar and the place where the Philistines camped before Saul's last battle, and the native town of Abishag, King David's concubine, in 1Kings 1,1.