Alrighty, let’s have a little fun today as we go through the names of the next 3 districts contained in 1st Kings Chapter 4.
One by one, I’m gonna name the territories, and then I want you to tell me what key event or person is associated with that area.
Ready?
QUESTION 1:
“What is significant about the 7th district represented by the city of Mahanaim, located in the eastern Jordan Valley?”
QUESTION 2:
“What is significant about the 8th district identified as the tribal territory of Naphtali?”
QUESTION 3:
“What is significant about the 9th district, identified as the tribal territory of Asher, but also probably included the territory of the tribe of Zevulun?”
So, in a separate piece of paper or something, write down your answers.
Heck, you might come up with something totally different, I might not have in my answers.
However, unless you’re really an astute Bible student,
I’m assuming most of you are gonna fall flat on your proverbial faces here.
Alrighty, since this is a blog post and I’m not conducting this live, let’s get on with the answers.
ANSWER 1:
Mahanaim was a royal city for a short period of time.
It’s notable because it was used by Ishbosheth (not to be confused with the crippled Mephiboshesh), son of Saul, when he took over for a very brief time as king.
The tribal territory of Gad was also included in this district.
ANSWER 2:
Okay, this territory has some serious messianic connotations.
Check out this tidbit from the prophet Isaiah:
“In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”-Isaiah 9:1
That’s right!
This area would later be called Galilee, which is where Yeshua began his ministry.
It was also considered an agricultural hub of commerce.
Crops grew abundantly in this region, and roads representing all four compass directions were connected to the area.
The name of the commissioner of this area was Achima’atz, and like the son of Avinadav, he had also married one of Solomon’s daughters.
ANSWER 3:
Okay, so the 9th district, represented by the tribal territory of Asher, is associated with abundance, prosperity, and one very overlooked New Testament figure.
First, Moses gave this blessing over Asher:
“May Asher be blessed above sons; may he be favored by his brothers, and may he dip his foot in oil.”-Deuteronomy 33:24
That “oil” is likely referring to olive oil because Asher’s territory was super fertile and loaded with olive groves.
In fact, Asher became known as one of the wealthiest agricultural regions in all of Israel.
Jacob also prophesied this over Asher:
“Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.”-Genesis 49:20
So this territory became associated with richness, abundance, prosperity, and royal-quality food.
BUT…
There’s another super cool connection most believers totally miss.
Remember the prophetess Anna from the New Testament?
The elderly woman who recognized baby Yeshua at the Temple?
Luke specifically tells us she was from the tribe of Asher!
Check this out:
“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher…”-Luke 2:36
Why is that significant?
Because by the time of Yeshua, the so-called “10 lost tribes of Israel” had supposedly disappeared.
Yet here we suddenly discover a faithful Jewish woman from the tribe of Asher worshipping at the Temple in Jerusalem and immediately recognizing the Messiah.
Pretty awesome little detail most people skip right over.
Alrighty, that does it for today, homies.
See ya all next time.
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