THE WORD OF ELOHIM

GENESIS

Chapter 37

Paragraph 5 - 6:

It is approximately 62 miles (100 km) from Chebrown (Hebron) to Nablus (formerly Shekem /Shechem) and from Shekem to Dothan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nablus

Paragraph 7:

But when Reuben heard it, he tried to save him from them.  He said, “Let us not take his life.”  And Reuben went on, “Shed no blood! Cast him into that pit out in the wilderness, but do not touch him yourselves.”—Intending to save him from them and restore him to his father.  

Reuben is the eldest son of Israel and in Genesis chapter 35:

While Yisrael stayed in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine; and Yisrael found out.

Did Yisrael actually catch them in the act or worse -  did Bilhah become pregnant?

We don’t know how Israel found out that Reuben lay with Bilhah, and we can only imagine the shame he felt, when his father learned of his offense.  Now his brothers want to kill Yehoseph.   – This is too much for Reuben and he hopes to save himself, by rescuing his brother.