Alrighty, let’s continue going through the list of officers whom Solomon assigned to keep his royal court operations running as smoothly as silk.
From verse 10, we have a dude referred to as BEN-HESED.
Remember, these taxation district commissioners were identified only by their family names.
So this Son of Hesed (BEN means “son of”) was in charge of the third district that bordered the Mediterranean Sea Coast.
This territory was defined partly by clan territory known as “the Land of Hefer” and partly by its towns.
Onward.
The fourth district was centered around the major port city of Dor and was administered by a homie named Ben-Avinadav.
What’s interesting is that he was also Solomon’s son-in-law.
This no doubt played a role in his appointment to such a strategic seaport, which was essential to Israel’s growing international trade network.
Verse 12 goes on to describe Ba‘ana as the official placed over the rich and fertile valleys in northern Israel.
His district included famous cities such as Ta‘anach, Megiddo, and Beth-Shean, known today for its massive archaeological remains from the Roman era.
This was the fifth administrative district, and if ancient Israel had an agricultural heartland, this region was it, baby!
It also served for centuries as a major route for merchants, traders, and invading armies alike.
Now, there’s a mighty stimulating takeaway popping into my mind right now.
In verse 12, note the name of the city called MEGIDDO.
Have any idea what the English rendering of that word is?
It’s Armageddon, homie.
That’s right.
This is the site where the war to end all wars is gonna take place.
The lesson to be learned here is what I pointed out earlier.
The long lists of names in Scripture that we tend to dismiss as unimportant and irrelevant to our faith contain some of the greatest theological treasures!
They also serve as proof-positive verification that the Scriptures are true.
How can you believe the theology of the Bible if the history of it is inaccurate?
Ya feel me?
This is one area where the Bible outclasses pretty much every other religious book in existence.
So I behoove you, homie.
Don’t mentally dismiss those parts of Scripture that your average person uses as substitutes for sleeping pills.
Ya feel me?
Done.
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