Nehemiah 11:28

Commentary on Nehemiah 11:28 (KJV)

Nehemiah 11:28 is part of a detailed list enumerating the towns and villages where the Jewish people resettled after their return from Babylonian exile, following the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This specific verse mentions two locations: Ziklag and Mekonah, along with their surrounding villages, as places where the descendants of Judah resided.

Context

The book of Nehemiah chronicles the significant period of post-exilic restoration, primarily focusing on the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. Chapter 11 shifts focus to the repopulation of Jerusalem and the surrounding territories of Judah and Benjamin. After the walls were completed, it became crucial to ensure that the land was inhabited by the returned exiles, strengthening the community and fulfilling the divine promise of restoration. A lottery or voluntary system was used to determine who would live in Jerusalem (one-tenth of the people) and who would settle in the other towns and villages of Judah and Benjamin. This verse contributes to that comprehensive geographical record, highlighting the breadth of the resettlement.

Historical and Geographical Significance

The inclusion of Ziklag in this list carries notable historical weight. Ziklag was a significant town in the Negev region, bordering the Philistine territory. It is famously known as the city given to David by Achish, king of Gath, during David's flight from King Saul (1 Samuel 27:6). It was later raided and burned by the Amalekites, leading to David's pursuit and recovery of all that was lost (1 Samuel 30:1-20). Its repopulation here signifies a return to normalcy and the reclaiming of ancestral lands after generations of dispersion. Mekonah is a less prominent location in biblical history, likely a smaller settlement or village within the same southern region, indicating the comprehensive nature of the resettlement efforts.

Key Themes

• Restoration and Repopulation: The primary theme is the physical and spiritual rebuilding of the nation, not just the capital city. The meticulous listing of towns underscores the thoroughness of God's plan to restore His people to their land after the seventy-year exile.
• Divine Providence: This passage illustrates God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to the land He promised, guiding their resettlement and ensuring the continuity of the Israelite presence in Judah.
• Community and Order: The organized repopulation of the land highlights the importance of establishing stable communities and administrative order for the nation's survival and flourishing.

Practical Application

While Nehemiah 11:28 might seem like a mere historical footnote, it offers valuable lessons. It reminds us that God cares about the details of our lives and communities, even the seemingly mundane aspects of settling and rebuilding. Just as the Israelites diligently repopulated their land, we are called to be diligent in building and strengthening our own communities, families, and churches. It speaks to the importance of not just grand projects (like rebuilding walls) but also the everyday task of establishing roots and living faithfully where God has placed us. The restoration of Ziklag, a place once devastated, serves as a powerful reminder that with God, even the broken can be made whole and repopulated with new life.