Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Slings and Arrows
- 2 Flesh and Stone
- 3 King of Judah
- 4 Tales of Loyalty and Betrayal
- 5 The Bones of Saul
- 6 Uriah the Hittite
- 7 Ittai the Gittite
- 8 David in Exile
- 9 Territorial Transitions
- 10 Chronicles
- 11 Caleb and the Conquest
- 12 Caleb the Warrior
- 13 Caleb the Judahite
- 14 War-Torn David
- Notes
- Index of Modern Authors
- Index of Biblical Passages and Related Texts
- Index of Historical Figures
9 - Territorial Transitions
The Transjordan, Israel, and Judah
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2014
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Slings and Arrows
- 2 Flesh and Stone
- 3 King of Judah
- 4 Tales of Loyalty and Betrayal
- 5 The Bones of Saul
- 6 Uriah the Hittite
- 7 Ittai the Gittite
- 8 David in Exile
- 9 Territorial Transitions
- 10 Chronicles
- 11 Caleb and the Conquest
- 12 Caleb the Warrior
- 13 Caleb the Judahite
- 14 War-Torn David
- Notes
- Index of Modern Authors
- Index of Biblical Passages and Related Texts
- Index of Historical Figures
Summary
The preceding chapter treated several passages related to David’s exile to the Transjordan and his return to Jerusalem after the death of Absalom. One of the points at issue in those passages is the territory of Benjamin. The present chapter examines a series of texts that relates to other territories, both within and beyond the borders of Israel. I will begin with a discussion of the Transjordan and then turn my attention to the deep and abiding tensions between Israel and Judah.
Issues Posed by the East Bank
Upon arriving at the Transjordanian town of Mahanaim, David and his entourage are greeted by a delegation of three dignitaries. As Saul’s servant Ziba had done before, they deliver food for David and for the people who accompany him. Along with an extraordinary assortment of victuals, they bear gifts of vessels, basins, and beds/couches.
When David reached Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbath-ammon, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim presented couches, basins, and earthenware; also wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched grain, honey, curds, a flock, and cheese from the herd for David and the troops with him to eat. For they knew that the troops must have grown hungry, faint, and thirsty in the wilderness.
(2 Sam 17:27–29)- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- David, King of Israel, and Caleb in Biblical Memory , pp. 132 - 147Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2014