There are lots of names and places listed in this text. Those names and towns have a significant meaning beyond a simple biography. When there are a bunch of names in a list, it’s a bell-ringer. You are supposed to take notice that there is something more than meets the eye here.
These names are in a particular order for a reason.
The account of Solomon’s decision on which prostitute should get the baby is known even by those who haven’t read the Bible. More than a legend, the event has several parallels to the life of Messiah and His relationship with Israel.
Remember that the number three is a Messianic reference. This third-year tithe is a reference to the Messiah: His sacrifice, God’s acceptance of the Messiah’s sacrifice and, from that point, God will make those who accept the Messiah’s sacrifice into His people.
Many believers in Yeshua dismiss this chapter and similar ones as “just a list of rules” and assume they have no relevance to the modern times. Yet there is foreshadowing of the Messiah in the laws for cities to atone for the “stain” of unsolved murder, inheritance for the firstborn of “unloved” wives and capital punishment for “rebellious” sons.
Yeshua (Jesus) sent the 12 and 70 other close followers to various cities as witnesses of His message about the coming of the Kingdom of God. Key to this commission was a quotation from the prophet Micah at a time when Israel was about to be taken apart because of rebellion against God. The same was about to happen to Israel in the first century.
In preparation for Passover, we consider the theme of Psalms 22, 23, 40 and 88 is not death but the willingness to die despite one’s fear of death. Yeshua (Jesus) had fear God because He knew God’s awesome power first-hand. He feared death, not the Devil.
The Torah says that a census can not count people, only the coins they give. David knew this, and Yoab (Joab) did too. Why did David proceed after Yoab calls him out on this? What does it have to do with the strange land purchase in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem)?