We are now visiting the land of Samaria, Joseph’s territory, and the coastal region near modern Haifa.
There are just three more tribal genealogies recorded (1 Chron 7:14-40) before we focus on two competing power centers—the rejection of Saul’s line and the selection of David’s house. First, however, we notice that not only Dan, but also Zebulun, has gone missing. We’ve seen Dan rejecting the allotment given by God near Jerusalem, and going as far north as possible, institutionalizing idolatry, and removing themselves from His blessing. Zebulun and Naphtali were referred to as “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isa 9:1-2). Do we read nothing of Zebulun (and next-to-nothing of Naphtali) because they had been absorbed into the Gentile culture in Galilee? And yet, of all the locations that God could have selected for His Son to be raised and to minister, this was it: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Mt 4:14-16). Now Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph’s double blessing, are listed, and other than the renowned Joshua (1 Chron 7:27), the exciting stories aren’t about sons. In Manasseh, we find the ground-breaking daughters of Zelophehad (v 15), who provided the precedent case for Israel’s women to inherit land (Num 27), and Ephraim’s sons who turned to cattle rustling were all killed as a result (1 Chron 7:21). But he had a remarkable daughter, “Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah” (v 24). That’s some accomplishment! Finally we read of some good men, too, from Asher: “choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders” (v 40). Oh for more choice women and men today!