the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
"Megiddo ..." This city was associated with Taanach; the name means "Stronghold."  Together these two places, assigned to Manasseh, controlled the southern flank of the valley of Esdraelon and the most heavily traveled route through the Carmel range to the plain of Sharon.  Manasseh was also unable to hold on to this.[32]