Topical Bible: the Tribe of Naphtali: Officer Placed Over, by Solomon

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The Tribe of Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant (Genesis 30:7-8). This tribe was allocated a portion of land in the northern region of Canaan, as described in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 19:32-39). The territory of Naphtali was known for its fertile land and strategic location, bordered by the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and the Sea of Galilee.

During the reign of King Solomon, the united monarchy of Israel experienced unprecedented prosperity and administrative organization. Solomon, known for his wisdom and extensive building projects, established a system of regional governors to manage the kingdom's affairs and ensure the efficient collection of resources. This system is detailed in 1 Kings 4, where Solomon appointed twelve officers over all Israel, each responsible for providing provisions for the king and his household for one month of the year.

In 1 Kings 4:15 , it is recorded: "Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he had married Basemath, a daughter of Solomon)." Ahimaaz was the officer placed over the region of Naphtali. His appointment is significant, as it reflects the integration of tribal territories into the centralized administration of Solomon's kingdom. Ahimaaz's marriage to Basemath, Solomon's daughter, further indicates the close ties and alliances formed between the royal family and the regional governors.

The role of Ahimaaz as an officer over Naphtali would have involved overseeing the collection of agricultural produce and other resources from the fertile lands of the tribe. This system not only supported the lavish court of Solomon but also facilitated the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem and other monumental projects. The appointment of officers like Ahimaaz highlights the organizational acumen of Solomon's reign and the importance of the tribes in sustaining the kingdom's prosperity.

The Tribe of Naphtali, with its rich heritage and strategic location, played a vital role in the history of Israel. The appointment of Ahimaaz as an officer over Naphtali under Solomon's rule exemplifies the integration of tribal leadership into the broader governance of the united monarchy, ensuring the stability and success of the nation during one of its most prosperous periods.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:15
Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... their lives unto the death,"and Naphtali upon the ... families which constituted the
half-tribe of Manasseh ... of a certain Zebul, the officer and representative of ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... dwelt a man, His name Manoah, of the tribe of Dan ... were Men lying in wait whom she
had placed there,) Then ... by the judge thou be Unto the officer forthwith resign ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Joshua's Song of Victory over the Amorites (Joshua 10:13), and ... the Temple (1 Kings
8, 12, 13, placed by the ... time of Jehoshaphat, a member of the tribe of Judah ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm