Judges, Ruth - Map Collection
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Shiloh and the Wives of Benjamin
$10.00
After a devastating civil war, Israel searched for a way to save one of its own tribes.
With the tribe of Benjamin nearly destroyed, the Israelites faced an unexpected problem: how could the tribe survive without breaking the promises they had made? The annual festival at Shiloh became part of an unusual solution.
This map helps readers understand the location of Shiloh and the setting for the final events in the book of Judges.
Description
Shiloh and the Restoration of Benjamin
The book of Judges ends after Israel's civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. Although the other tribes had won the conflict, they soon realized that Benjamin was on the verge of disappearing. Wanting to preserve all twelve tribes, they searched for a way to provide wives for the surviving Benjaminite men without violating the oath they had taken.
During an annual festival at Shiloh, the leaders instructed the Benjaminites to take wives from among the young women participating in the celebration. The unusual plan allowed the tribe to rebuild while preserving the unity of Israel. The story closes with the well-known words, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes," highlighting the spiritual confusion of the era.
The geography helps explain why Shiloh was chosen. Located in the hill country of Ephraim, Shiloh was Israel's central place of worship for many years because the Tabernacle stood there. People from across the nation regularly traveled to the city for religious festivals, making it a natural gathering place.
Understanding the location of Shiloh helps readers connect the closing chapters of Judges with Israel's religious and national life. This map places these events in their historical setting and prepares readers for the transition to the story of Samuel, when Shiloh would once again become a key location in biblical history.
