Hormah
Hormah, originally known as Zephath, was a city in the Negev region. It holds historical significance due to its mention in the context of Israel's wilderness wanderings. In Numbers 21:1-3, the Israelites vowed to the Lord to destroy the Canaanite cities if He delivered them into their hands, and Hormah was one of the cities they devoted to destruction. The name Hormah means "destruction" or "devotion to destruction," reflecting its fate. This city serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, as well as the consequences of disobedience and the importance of following divine commands.

Ziklag
Ziklag is a town with a notable history, particularly during the time of King David. Initially, it was a Philistine city given to David by Achish, the king of Gath, as recorded in 1 Samuel 27:5-6. David used Ziklag as a base of operations while he was fleeing from King Saul. It later became part of the territory of Judah. Ziklag's history is marked by a significant event when the Amalekites raided and burned it, taking captive the families of David and his men (1 Samuel 30:1-6). This event led to David's pursuit and eventual victory over the Amalekites, demonstrating God's providence and David's leadership. Ziklag's inclusion in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles highlights its importance in the narrative of Israel's history and God's unfolding plan for His people.

“Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag.” (1 Chronicles 4:30)

• Bethuel shows up in the earlier allotment of Simeon’s inheritance (Joshua 19:4, where it appears as “Bethul”). By repeating the name here, the chronicler quietly underscores that God kept His word concerning land for every tribe—even the smaller, scattered one of Simeon (Genesis 49:5-7).

• The city lies in the Negev, inside Judah’s larger territory (Joshua 15:20-32). This arrangement fulfills the prophecy that Simeon would be dispersed yet still provided for.

• Every obscure town in God’s record matters. The listing reminds us that He sees ordinary places and the people who live in them; none are forgotten (Matthew 10:29-31).

• Although little else is recorded about Bethuel, its very mention certifies the historical reliability of Scripture, anchoring faith not in myth but in verifiable geography.

• Hormah’s back-story begins with Israel’s early wanderings. After an aborted attempt to enter Canaan, the Israelites suffered defeat at Hormah (Numbers 14:45). Later, when they trusted God, “the LORD listened to Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites, and Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the place was named Hormah” (Numbers 21:3).

• Judges 1:17 tells how Judah and Simeon teamed up to finish that conquest: “They struck the Canaanites living in Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the city was called Hormah.” The partnership explains why Hormah appears on Simeon’s roster here.

• The name itself (“devoted to destruction”) stands as a lasting testimony that God both judges sin and grants victory when His people obey. For believers today the scene foreshadows the call to put sin to death (Romans 8:13) so that devoted lives can flourish.

• Listing Hormah among Simeon’s towns highlights God’s faithfulness: a place once associated with defeat becomes a settled inheritance, proving He can transform failures into footholds for future blessing.

• Ziklag is best known from David’s wilderness years. “That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day” (1 Samuel 27:6). When the Amalekites raided it, David sought the Lord, pursued, and recovered all (1 Samuel 30:1-20).

• Yet 1 Chronicles 4:31 says of Simeon’s towns, “These were their cities until the reign of David.” David’s royal claim on Ziklag shows how tribal boundaries shifted under the monarchy. Even so, God’s earlier provision for Simeon stands recorded and honored.

• Ziklag illustrates how God can turn marginal places into strategic launching pads. From its outskirts David assembled mighty men (1 Chronicles 12:1-22) and moved one step closer to the throne promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-16.

• For us, Ziklag encourages perseverance. What looks like a temporary hideout may be the very setting God uses to shape leaders and advance His kingdom purposes (James 1:2-4).

1 Chronicles 4:30 is more than a string of ancient place-names. Bethuel reaffirms God’s meticulous care for every tribe; Hormah testifies to His power to reverse defeat through obedience; Ziklag shows how He transforms out-of-the-way locations into stages for kingdom advancement. Together they spotlight the Lord’s unfailing faithfulness—past, present, and future.

Hormah.--The ancient Zephath (Judges 1:17), now Sepata. . . .

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