In the description of the lots of Judah and Benjamin we have an
account both of the borders that surrounded them and of the cities contained in
them. In that of Ephraim and Manasseh we have the borders, but not the cities;
in this chapter Simeon and Dan are described by their cities only, and not their
borders, because they lay very much within Judah, especially the former; the
rest have both their borders described and their cities names, especially
frontiers. Here is, I. The lot of Simeon (v. 1-9). II. Of Zebulun (v. 10-16).
III. Of Issachar (v. 17-23). IV. Of Asher (v. 24-31). V. Of Naphtali (v. 32-39).
VI. Of Dan (v. 40-48). Lastly, The inheritance assigned to Joshua himself and
his own family (v. 49-51).
Simeon's lot was drawn after Judah's, Joseph's, and
Benjamin's, because Jacob had put that tribe under disgrace; yet it is put
before the two younger sons of Leah and the three sons of the handmaids. Not one
person of note, neither judge nor prophet, was of this tribe, that we know of.
I. The situation of their lot was within that of Judah (v. 1)
and was taken from it, v. 9. It seems, those that first surveyed the land
thought it larger than it was, and that it would have held out to give every
tribe in proportion as large a share as they had carved out for Judah; but, upon
a more strict enquiry, it was found that it would not reach (v. 9): The part
of the children of Judah was too much for them, more than they needed, and
more, as it proved, than fell to their share. Yet God did not by the lot lessen
it, but left it to their prudence and care afterwards to discover and rectify
the mistake, which when they did, 1. The men of Judah did not oppose the taking
away of the cities again, which by the first distribution fell within their
border, when they were convinced that they had more than their proportion. In
all such cases errors must be excepted and a review admitted if there be
occasion. Though, in strictness, what fell to their lot was their right against
all the world, yet they would not insist upon it when it appeared that another
tribe would want what they had to spare. Note, We must look on the things of
others, and not on our own only. The abundance of some must supply the wants of
others, that there may be somewhat of an equality, for which there may be equity
where there is not law. 2. That which was thus taken off from Judah to be put
into a new lot Providence directed to the tribe of Simeon, that Jacob's
prophecy concerning this tribe might be fulfilled, I will divide them in
Jacob. The cities of Simeon were scattered in Judah, with which tribe they
were surrounded, except on that side towards the sea. This brought them into a
confederacy with the tribe of Judah (Jdg. 1:3), and afterwards was a happy
occasion of the adherence of many of this tribe to the house of David, at the
time of the revolt of the ten tribes to Jeroboam. 2 Chr. 15:9, out of Simeon
they fell to Asa in abundance. It is good being in a good
neighbourhood.
II. The cities within their lot are here named. Beersheba, or
Sheba, for these names seem to refer to the same place, is put first. Ziklag,
which we read of in David's story, is one of them. What course they took to
enlarge their borders and make room for themselves we find 1 Chr. 4:39, etc.
This is the lot of Zebulun, who, though born of Leah after
Issachar, yet was blessed by Jacob and Moses before him; and therefore it was so
ordered that his lot was drawn before that of Issachar, north of which it lay
and south of Asher. 1. The lot of this tribe was washed by the great sea on the
west, and by the sea of Tiberias on the east, answering Jacob's prophecy (Gen.
49:13), Zebulun shall be a haven of ships, trading ships on the great sea
and fishing ships on the sea of Galilee. 2. Though there were some places in
this tribe which were made famous in the Old Testament, especially Mount
Carmel, on which the famous trial was between God and Baal in Elijah's
time, yet it was made much more illustrious in the New Testament; for within the
lot of this tribe was Nazareth, where our blessed Saviour spent so much of his
time on earth, and from which he was called Jesus of Nazareth, and Mount
Tabor on which he was transfigured, and that coast of the sea of Galilee on
which Christ preached so many sermons and wrought so many miracles.
The lot of Issachar ran from Jordan in the east to the great sea
in the west, Manasseh on the south, and Zebulun on the north. A numerous tribe,
Num. 26:25. Tola, one of the judges, was of this tribe, Jdg. 10:1. So was Baasha,
one of the kings of Israel, 1 Ki. 15:27. The most considerable places in this
tribe were, 1. Jezreel, in which was Ahab's palace, and near it Naboth's
vineyard. 2. Shunem, where lived that good Shunamite that entertained Elisha. 3.
The river Kishon, on the banks of which, in this tribe, Sisera was beaten by
Deborah and Barak. 4. The mountains of Gilboa, on which Saul and Jonathan were
slain, which were not far from Endor, where Saul consulted the witch. 5. The
valley of Megiddo, where Josiah was slain near Hadad-rimmon, 2 Ki. 23:29; Zec.
12:11.
The lot of Asher lay upon the coast of the great sea. We read
not of any famous person of this tribe but Anna the prophetess, who was a
constant resident in the temple at the time of our Saviour's birth, Lu. 2:36.
Nor were there many famous places in this tribe. Aphek (mentioned v. 30) was the
place near which Benhadad was beaten by Ahad, 1 Ki. 20:30. But close adjoining
to this tribe were the celebrated sea-port towns of Tyre and Sidon, which we
read so much of. Tyre is called here that strong city (v. 29), but Bishop
Patrick thinks it was not the same Tyre that we read of afterwards, for that was
built on an island; this old strong city was on the continent. And it is
conjectured by some that into these two strong-holds, Sidon and Tzor, or Tyre,
many of the people of Canaan fled and took shelter when Joshua invaded them.
Naphtali lay furthest north of all the tribes, bordering on
Mount Libanus. The city of Leshem, or Liash, lay on the utmost edge of it to the
north, and therefore when the Danites had made themselves masters of it, and
called it Dan, the length of Canaan from north to south was reckoned from
Dan to Beersheba. It had Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and Judah upon
Jordan, probably a city of that name, and so distinguished from the tribe of
Judah on the east. It was in the lot of this tribe, near the waters of Merom,
that Joshua fought and routed Jabin, ch. 11:1. etc. In this tribe stood
Capernaum and Bethsaida, on the north end of the sea of Tiberias, in which
Christ did so many mighty works; and the mountain (as is supposed) on which
Christ preached, Mt. 5:1.
Dan, though commander of one of the four squadrons of the camp
of Israel, in the wilderness, that which brought up the rear, yet was last
provided for in Canaan, and his lot fell in the southern part of Canaan, between
Judah on the east and the land of the Philistines on the west, Ephraim on the
north and Simeon on the south. Providence ordered this numerous and powerful
tribe into a post of danger, as best able to deal with those vexatious
neighbours the Philistines, and so it was found in Samson. Here is an account,
1. Of what fell to this tribe by lot, Zorah, and Eshtaol, and the camp of Dan
thereabouts, of which we read in the story of Samson. And near there was the
valley of Eshcol, whence the spies brought the famous bunch of grapes. Japho, or
Joppa was in this lot. 2. Of what they got by their own industry and valour,
which is mentioned here (v. 47), but related at large, Jdg. 18:7, etc.
Before this account of the dividing of the land is solemnly
closed up, in the last verse, which intimates that the thing was done to the
satisfaction of all, here is an account of the particular inheritance assigned
to Joshua. 1. He was last served, though the eldest and greatest man of all
Israel, and who, having commanded in the conquest of Canaan, might have demanded
the first settlement in it for himself and his family. But he would make it to
appear that in all he did he sought the good of his country, and not any private
interest of his own. He was content to be unfixed till he saw them all settled;
and herein is a great example to all in public places to prefer the common
welfare before their particular satisfaction. Let the public be first served. 2.
He had his lot according to the word of the Lord. It is probable that,
when God by Moses told Caleb what inheritance he should have (ch. 14:9), he gave
the like promise to Joshua, which he had an eye to in making his election: this
made his portion doubly pleasant, that he had it, not as the rest by common
providence, but by special promise. 3. He chose it in Mount Ephraim, which
belonged to his own tribe, with which he thereby put himself in common, when he
might by prerogative have chosen his inheritance in some other tribe, as suppose
that of Judah, and thereby have distinguished himself from them. Let no man's
preferment or honour make him ashamed of his family or country, or estrange him
from it. The tabernacle was set up in the lot of Ephraim, and Joshua would
forecast not to be far from that. 4. The children of Israel are said to give
it to him (v. 49), which bespeaks his humility, that he would not take it to
himself without the people's consent and approbation, as if he would thereby
own himself, though major singulis—greater than any one, yet minor
universis—less than the whole assemblage, and would hold even the estate
of his family, under God, by the grant of the people. 5. It was a city that must
be built before it was fit to be dwelt in. While others dwelt in houses which
they built not, Joshua must erect for himself (that he might be a pattern of
industry and contentment with mean things) such buildings as he could hastily
run up, without curiosity or magnificence. Our Lord Jesus thus came and dwelt
among us, not in pomp but poverty, providing rest for us, yet himself not having
where to lay his head. Even Christ pleased not himself.
Joshua 19 Bible Commentary
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete)
In the description of the lots of Judah and Benjamin we have an account both of the borders that surrounded them and of the cities contained in them. In that of Ephraim and Manasseh we have the borders, but not the cities; in this chapter Simeon and Dan are described by their cities only, and not their borders, because they lay very much within Judah, especially the former; the rest have both their borders described and their cities names, especially frontiers. Here is, I. The lot of Simeon (v. 1-9). II. Of Zebulun (v. 10-16). III. Of Issachar (v. 17-23). IV. Of Asher (v. 24-31). V. Of Naphtali (v. 32-39). VI. Of Dan (v. 40-48). Lastly, The inheritance assigned to Joshua himself and his own family (v. 49-51).
Verses 1-9
Simeon's lot was drawn after Judah's, Joseph's, and Benjamin's, because Jacob had put that tribe under disgrace; yet it is put before the two younger sons of Leah and the three sons of the handmaids. Not one person of note, neither judge nor prophet, was of this tribe, that we know of.
I. The situation of their lot was within that of Judah (v. 1) and was taken from it, v. 9. It seems, those that first surveyed the land thought it larger than it was, and that it would have held out to give every tribe in proportion as large a share as they had carved out for Judah; but, upon a more strict enquiry, it was found that it would not reach (v. 9): The part of the children of Judah was too much for them, more than they needed, and more, as it proved, than fell to their share. Yet God did not by the lot lessen it, but left it to their prudence and care afterwards to discover and rectify the mistake, which when they did, 1. The men of Judah did not oppose the taking away of the cities again, which by the first distribution fell within their border, when they were convinced that they had more than their proportion. In all such cases errors must be excepted and a review admitted if there be occasion. Though, in strictness, what fell to their lot was their right against all the world, yet they would not insist upon it when it appeared that another tribe would want what they had to spare. Note, We must look on the things of others, and not on our own only. The abundance of some must supply the wants of others, that there may be somewhat of an equality, for which there may be equity where there is not law. 2. That which was thus taken off from Judah to be put into a new lot Providence directed to the tribe of Simeon, that Jacob's prophecy concerning this tribe might be fulfilled, I will divide them in Jacob. The cities of Simeon were scattered in Judah, with which tribe they were surrounded, except on that side towards the sea. This brought them into a confederacy with the tribe of Judah (Jdg. 1:3), and afterwards was a happy occasion of the adherence of many of this tribe to the house of David, at the time of the revolt of the ten tribes to Jeroboam. 2 Chr. 15:9, out of Simeon they fell to Asa in abundance. It is good being in a good neighbourhood.
II. The cities within their lot are here named. Beersheba, or Sheba, for these names seem to refer to the same place, is put first. Ziklag, which we read of in David's story, is one of them. What course they took to enlarge their borders and make room for themselves we find 1 Chr. 4:39, etc.
Verses 10-16
This is the lot of Zebulun, who, though born of Leah after Issachar, yet was blessed by Jacob and Moses before him; and therefore it was so ordered that his lot was drawn before that of Issachar, north of which it lay and south of Asher. 1. The lot of this tribe was washed by the great sea on the west, and by the sea of Tiberias on the east, answering Jacob's prophecy (Gen. 49:13), Zebulun shall be a haven of ships, trading ships on the great sea and fishing ships on the sea of Galilee. 2. Though there were some places in this tribe which were made famous in the Old Testament, especially Mount Carmel, on which the famous trial was between God and Baal in Elijah's time, yet it was made much more illustrious in the New Testament; for within the lot of this tribe was Nazareth, where our blessed Saviour spent so much of his time on earth, and from which he was called Jesus of Nazareth, and Mount Tabor on which he was transfigured, and that coast of the sea of Galilee on which Christ preached so many sermons and wrought so many miracles.
Verses 17-23
The lot of Issachar ran from Jordan in the east to the great sea in the west, Manasseh on the south, and Zebulun on the north. A numerous tribe, Num. 26:25. Tola, one of the judges, was of this tribe, Jdg. 10:1. So was Baasha, one of the kings of Israel, 1 Ki. 15:27. The most considerable places in this tribe were, 1. Jezreel, in which was Ahab's palace, and near it Naboth's vineyard. 2. Shunem, where lived that good Shunamite that entertained Elisha. 3. The river Kishon, on the banks of which, in this tribe, Sisera was beaten by Deborah and Barak. 4. The mountains of Gilboa, on which Saul and Jonathan were slain, which were not far from Endor, where Saul consulted the witch. 5. The valley of Megiddo, where Josiah was slain near Hadad-rimmon, 2 Ki. 23:29; Zec. 12:11.
Verses 24-31
The lot of Asher lay upon the coast of the great sea. We read not of any famous person of this tribe but Anna the prophetess, who was a constant resident in the temple at the time of our Saviour's birth, Lu. 2:36. Nor were there many famous places in this tribe. Aphek (mentioned v. 30) was the place near which Benhadad was beaten by Ahad, 1 Ki. 20:30. But close adjoining to this tribe were the celebrated sea-port towns of Tyre and Sidon, which we read so much of. Tyre is called here that strong city (v. 29), but Bishop Patrick thinks it was not the same Tyre that we read of afterwards, for that was built on an island; this old strong city was on the continent. And it is conjectured by some that into these two strong-holds, Sidon and Tzor, or Tyre, many of the people of Canaan fled and took shelter when Joshua invaded them.
Verses 32-39
Naphtali lay furthest north of all the tribes, bordering on Mount Libanus. The city of Leshem, or Liash, lay on the utmost edge of it to the north, and therefore when the Danites had made themselves masters of it, and called it Dan, the length of Canaan from north to south was reckoned from Dan to Beersheba. It had Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west, and Judah upon Jordan, probably a city of that name, and so distinguished from the tribe of Judah on the east. It was in the lot of this tribe, near the waters of Merom, that Joshua fought and routed Jabin, ch. 11:1. etc. In this tribe stood Capernaum and Bethsaida, on the north end of the sea of Tiberias, in which Christ did so many mighty works; and the mountain (as is supposed) on which Christ preached, Mt. 5:1.
Verses 40-48
Dan, though commander of one of the four squadrons of the camp of Israel, in the wilderness, that which brought up the rear, yet was last provided for in Canaan, and his lot fell in the southern part of Canaan, between Judah on the east and the land of the Philistines on the west, Ephraim on the north and Simeon on the south. Providence ordered this numerous and powerful tribe into a post of danger, as best able to deal with those vexatious neighbours the Philistines, and so it was found in Samson. Here is an account, 1. Of what fell to this tribe by lot, Zorah, and Eshtaol, and the camp of Dan thereabouts, of which we read in the story of Samson. And near there was the valley of Eshcol, whence the spies brought the famous bunch of grapes. Japho, or Joppa was in this lot. 2. Of what they got by their own industry and valour, which is mentioned here (v. 47), but related at large, Jdg. 18:7, etc.
Verses 49-51
Before this account of the dividing of the land is solemnly closed up, in the last verse, which intimates that the thing was done to the satisfaction of all, here is an account of the particular inheritance assigned to Joshua. 1. He was last served, though the eldest and greatest man of all Israel, and who, having commanded in the conquest of Canaan, might have demanded the first settlement in it for himself and his family. But he would make it to appear that in all he did he sought the good of his country, and not any private interest of his own. He was content to be unfixed till he saw them all settled; and herein is a great example to all in public places to prefer the common welfare before their particular satisfaction. Let the public be first served. 2. He had his lot according to the word of the Lord. It is probable that, when God by Moses told Caleb what inheritance he should have (ch. 14:9), he gave the like promise to Joshua, which he had an eye to in making his election: this made his portion doubly pleasant, that he had it, not as the rest by common providence, but by special promise. 3. He chose it in Mount Ephraim, which belonged to his own tribe, with which he thereby put himself in common, when he might by prerogative have chosen his inheritance in some other tribe, as suppose that of Judah, and thereby have distinguished himself from them. Let no man's preferment or honour make him ashamed of his family or country, or estrange him from it. The tabernacle was set up in the lot of Ephraim, and Joshua would forecast not to be far from that. 4. The children of Israel are said to give it to him (v. 49), which bespeaks his humility, that he would not take it to himself without the people's consent and approbation, as if he would thereby own himself, though major singulis—greater than any one, yet minor universis—less than the whole assemblage, and would hold even the estate of his family, under God, by the grant of the people. 5. It was a city that must be built before it was fit to be dwelt in. While others dwelt in houses which they built not, Joshua must erect for himself (that he might be a pattern of industry and contentment with mean things) such buildings as he could hastily run up, without curiosity or magnificence. Our Lord Jesus thus came and dwelt among us, not in pomp but poverty, providing rest for us, yet himself not having where to lay his head. Even Christ pleased not himself.