Joshua 19:24-48
24 Now the fifth lot went to the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their families.
25 Their territory was Helkath, Hali, Beten, and Achshaph,
26 Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal; and it reached to Carmel on the west and Shihor-libnath.
27 It turned toward the east to Beth-dagon and reached Zebulun, and to the Valley of Iphtahel
northward to Beth-emek and Neiel; then it proceeded on north to Cabul,
28 Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Great Sidon.
29 The border turned to Ramah and to the fortified city of Tyre; then the border turned to Hosah, and it ended at the sea by the region of Achzib.
30 Included also were Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob; twenty-two cities with their villages.
31 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.
32 The sixth lot went to the sons of Naphtali; to the sons of Naphtali according to their families.
33 Their border was from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, and Adami-nekeb and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and it ended at the Jordan.
34 Then the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor and proceeded from there to Hukkok; and it reached Zebulun on the south and reached Asher on the west, and Judah at the Jordan toward the east.
35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,
36 Adamah, Ramah, and Hazor,
37 Kedesh, Edrei, and En-hazor,
38 Yiron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.
39 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages.
40 The seventh lot went to the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their families.
41 The territory of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh,
42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, and Ithlah,
43 Elon, Timnah, and Ekron,
44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, and Baalath,
45 Jehud, Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon,
46 Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the territory opposite Joppa.
47 The territory of the sons of Dan proceeded beyond them; for the sons of Dan went up and fought with Leshem and captured it. Then they struck it with the edge of the sword and took possession of it and settled in it; and they named Leshem Dan after the name of their father Dan.
48 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.
The Allotment for the tribe of Asher, Naphtali, and Dan
Allotment for Asher (v. 24–31)
Asher was a child Jacob had with Zilpah, a maid of his wife Leah. Allotment for the tribe of Asher was an area along the Mediterranean, north of Carmel, east of Naphtali, with its southeast border adjacent to Zebulun. The territory included prominent cities such as the great Sidon, Tyre, and Acco.
Allotment for Naphtali (v. 32-39)
Naphtali was Jacob’s sixth child, a child Jacob had with Bilhah, a maid of his wife Rachel. Naphtali was allotted an area with its east border adjacent to Manasseh across the Jordan River, west border adjacent to Asher, south of Issachar and Zebulun. It was a small area but highly fertile land perfect for agriculture.
Allotment for Dan (v. 40-48)
Dan was Jacob’s fifth child, born from Bilhah, Rachel’s maid. First, the tribe of Dan dwelt in the land between Ephraim and Judah, west of Benjamin, but they were unable to conquer the land for there was strong opposition from their foes. Ultimately, they migrated north and inhabited the land between Naphtali and the area on the east bank of the Jordan River.
Application for us
(1) Israelites received the land as an inheritance from God so that they would be a nation of priests in that land. The spiritual principle the Bible teaches us is that “with a blessing comes a responsibility.” If the twelve tribes should forget their original purpose, they will be driven out of the land—which is exile later. How are you using the blessing that you received from God? Let’s be reminded that with a blessing comes a responsibility. (2) The tribe of Dan abandoned the battle and migrated to a different land. However, the land they inhabited was a much more dangerous area. Will you keep fighting the battle organized by God or abandon it? Let’s hold on to God’s grace and ask Him for strength.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to waste Your grace and blessings. Make me aware of the mission given by You, and may I fulfill it. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.