Judges 18:12
They went up and camped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah. That is why the place west of Kiriath-jearim is called Mahaneh-dan to this day.
They went up and camped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah.
Kiriath-jearim, meaning "City of Forests," was a significant location in the tribal territory of Judah. It is mentioned in several biblical accounts, including the story of the Ark of the Covenant being brought there (1 Samuel 7:1-2). This city was strategically located on the border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, making it a suitable place for the Danites to camp. The Danites' journey reflects the broader theme of the tribal allotments and the struggle for land in the Promised Land, as seen throughout the Book of Judges. The act of camping here signifies a temporary settlement, indicating their ongoing search for a permanent inheritance.

That is why the place west of Kiriath-jearim is called Mahaneh-dan to this day.
Mahaneh-dan means "Camp of Dan," and it serves as a historical marker of the Danites' journey. This naming reflects the practice of naming places after significant events or people, a common biblical tradition. The phrase "to this day" suggests that the name persisted for a considerable time, indicating the lasting impact of the Danites' actions. This location is also mentioned in Judges 13:25, where the Spirit of the Lord began to stir Samson, a member of the tribe of Dan. The connection to Samson highlights the ongoing narrative of the tribe of Dan and their struggles, as well as the cyclical nature of Israel's history during the time of the Judges.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kiriath-jearim
A city in the territory of Judah, significant in Israel's history as a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant before it was moved to Jerusalem.

2. Mahaneh-dan
Meaning "Camp of Dan," this location was named by the Danites during their journey to find a new inheritance, marking a significant event in their tribal history.

3. The Danites
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for their struggle to secure a permanent inheritance in the Promised Land, leading to their migration and conquest of Laish.

4. Judah
The territory belonging to the tribe of Judah, often associated with leadership and strength among the tribes of Israel.

5. The Journey
The Danites' journey from their original allotment to find a new land, reflecting their dissatisfaction and the challenges they faced in securing their inheritance.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Danites' journey reflects the consequences of not fully trusting and obeying God's initial provision. Believers are reminded to seek God's will and trust His plans.

The Significance of Names
Naming places like Mahaneh-dan serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the history of His people. Christians can reflect on how God has been faithful in their own lives.

The Role of Community
The Danites' collective decision to move highlights the importance of community in decision-making. Believers are encouraged to seek counsel and unity within the body of Christ.

Spiritual Resting Places
Just as Kiriath-jearim was a resting place for the Ark, Christians are called to find spiritual rest in Christ, who is our ultimate place of peace and security.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the journey of the Danites teach us about the importance of trusting in God's provision and timing?

2. How can the naming of places like Mahaneh-dan serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness in our own lives?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our community decisions align with God's will, as seen in the collective actions of the Danites?

4. How does the significance of Kiriath-jearim as a resting place for the Ark relate to finding spiritual rest in Christ today?

5. What lessons can we learn from the Danites' struggle to secure their inheritance that apply to our spiritual journey and pursuit of God's promises?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 19:40-48
Describes the original allotment of land to the tribe of Dan, providing context for their later migration.

1 Samuel 7:1-2
Mentions Kiriath-jearim as the location where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, highlighting its spiritual significance.

Judges 1:34
Details the initial struggles of the Danites to secure their territory, setting the stage for their later actions in Judges 18.
The History of a Man-Made Ministry: 2. its AbuseA.F. Muir Judges 18:1-13
Counsel of GodJ. Burns, D. D.Judges 18:1-31
Indifference to ReligionC. P. Longland.Judges 18:1-31
Micah the EphraimiteW. R. Hutton, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
Practical Attention to ReligionHomiletic MagazineJudges 18:1-31
Report from the Promised LandW. T. Sabine.Judges 18:1-31
The Beyond in ReligionChristian World PulpitJudges 18:1-31
The Image-Worship Expanding into Tribal IdolatryJ. P. Millar.Judges 18:1-31
The Indian ProblemS. S Allnutt, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
The Loss of GodsHomilistJudges 18:1-31
The Stable and the Unstable in ReligionA. R. Merriam.Judges 18:1-31
The Stolen GodsR. A. Watson, M. A.Judges 18:1-31
People
Aram, Dan, Danites, Gershom, Jonathan, Laish, Manasseh, Micah, Rehob, Sidonians, Zidon
Places
Bethlehem, Beth-rehob, Dan, Eshtaol, Kiriath-jearim, Laish, Mahaneh-dan, Shiloh, Sidon, Zorah
Topics
Account, Behind, Behold, Camp, Camped, Dan, Encamp, Encamped, Jearim, Judah, Kiriath, Kiriath-jearim, Kir'iath-je'arim, Kirjathjearim, Kirjath-jearim, Mahaneh, Mahanehdan, Mahaneh-dan, Ma'haneh-dan, Named, Pitched, Tents, Till, West, Wherefore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 18:1-31

     7266   tribes of Israel

Judges 18:11-31

     5211   art

Library
The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Pamias. Paneas, the Spring of Jordan.
The maps assign a double spring of Jordan; but by what right it scarce appears; much less does it appear by what right they should call this Jor,--and that Dan. There is indeed mention in Josephus of little Jordan and great Jordan. Hence, as it seems, was the first original of the double spring in the maps, and of a double river at those first springs. For thus Josephus; "There are fountains (in Daphne) which send little Jordan, as it is called, into the great." He treats, in the text cited, of the
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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