1 Chronicles 4:31
“at Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, at Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities until David’s reign.”
What does 1 Chronicles 4:31 mean?
This brief historical note lists several towns in southern Judah that belonged to the tribe of Simeon. The passage is essentially reminding readers that these settlements remained under Simeon's control right up until King David's time, when the tribal boundaries and land divisions shifted as the kingdom consolidated power under a unified monarchy. The names themselves tell us about the region's character: Beth Marcaboth suggests a place of chariots, Hazar Susim points to horse-raising, and the other towns similarly reflect the practical, agricultural nature of life in that area. For those reading through genealogies and wondering what these lists actually mean, this verse shows that the Bible's record keepers cared about preserving real geography and real change, not just abstract tribal records. It grounds their faith in actual history, in a real people living in real places.