Joshua 18:1-28
Q.1. Where did Israel set up the Tabernacle? Which tribal areas had been claimed? How were the rest of the tribal lands distributed in the Promised Land? – (Josh.18:1-10)
The portable Tabernacle of the Lord was placed centrally in the Promised Land, at Shiloh (Josh.18:1). Reuben, Gad, and the part tribe of Manasseh had returned to their territories east of the Jordan River. This meant that nine and a half tribes settled in the Promised Land. Within the Promised Land, only three tribes had taken up their allotments – Judah in the south, and the tribes of Joseph – Ephraim and the half tribe of Manasseh had acquired their territories – … Judah shall stay in its territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall stay in their territory on the north (Josh.18:5 c.f. Josh.chpts.15-16 & 17:7-18). Joshua then challenged the other seven tribes to divide the remaining land for their inheritance (Josh.18:2-3). He directed them – 4 Provide for yourselves three men from each tribe that I may send them, and that they may arise and walk through the land and write a description of it according to their inheritance; then they shall return to me. 5 They shall divide it into seven portions … 6 You shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. I will cast lots for you here before the Lord our God (Josh.18:4-6). These representatives described and recorded the land and cities – and Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord, and there Joshua divided the land to the sons of Israel according to their divisions (Josh.18:10).
Q.2. Which tribes were excluded from the Promised Land? What were the borders of the tribe of Benjamin? What significant city was granted to them? – (Josh.18:7, 11-28)
As stated previously, two and a half tribes settled east of the Jordan. The tribe of Levi was dispersed and was not granted a tribal territory. – the Levites have no portion among you because the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance. Gad and Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh also have received their inheritance eastward beyond the Jordan, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them (Josh.18:7 c.f. Josh.13:14 & 33). The Lord gave Benjamin – 11 … the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph. 12 Their border on the north side was from the Jordan … (Josh.18:11-12). Benjamin was allotted many cities, including – the Jebusite – that is Jerusalem (Josh.18:28). This would eventually become David’s capital city (c.f. 2 Sam.5:6-9). It is interesting that Jerusalem was given to Benjamin, since it would become the city of David. David was from the tribe of Judah. In time, Benjamin and Simeon blended in with Judah, and became the southern kingdom of Judah.