Ten Tribes Vs. One Tribe/2
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Ten Tribes Vs. One Tribe
Exegetical Approaches
Binyamin
Achiyah had included the tribe of Binyamin with Yehuda. The other ten tribes sided with Yerovam.
Ten and One – These sources assumes that the one tribe refers to Yehuda and Binyamin together, while the ten tribes include everyone else, excepting the tribe of Levi. Since the Levites had no inheritance they were never counted as one of the twelve.1
Why isn't Binyamin mentioned? These sources explain that since Binyamin was both less important and less numerous than the tribe of Yehuda, it is not mentioned on its own but only included as part of the more glorified Yehuda. In addition, sine Yerushalayim fell within the borders of both tribes, they were considered as one.
Evidence that Binyamin was loyal to the Davidic line – The fact that Rechovam gathers "כׇּל בֵּית יְהוּדָה וְאֶת שֵׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִן" to quell Yerovam's rebellion supports the idea that both tribes together had been left under the control of the Davidic dynasty. During the reign of Asa, as well, Binyamin is explicitly mentioned as being grouped with Yehuda (Divrei HaYamim II 15:1-10).
Status of Yerushalayim and Binyamin's siding with Yehuda – According to this approach, Yerushalayim was always meant to be under the jurisdiction of the Davidic dynasty. Since Yerushalayim was within the territory of Binyamin, it too had, of necessity, to be under the control of David's line.
"לְמַעַן עַבְדִּי דָוִד וּלְמַעַן יְרוּשָׁלִַם הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתִּי" – These sources could suggest that Hashem kept Yehuda "לְמַעַן עַבְדִּי דָוִד" and Binyamin "לְמַעַן יְרוּשָׁלִַם".
Why would Binyamin side with Yehuda? From a political perspective, it does not make sense that Binyamin would have wanted to join Yehuda, its rival from the reign of Shaul.2 Moreover, the tribe would appear to have been prime candidates to join a rebellion with Yerovam, a fellow descendant of Rachel, rather than to back Rechovam!
- Hoil Moshe suggests that they only sided with Rechovam out of fear.
- Alternatively, it is possible that their allegiance demonstrates that David's attempts at reconciliation with the tribe had in fact succeeded.3
Status of Shimon – According to this position, Shimon sided with Yerovam, despite their being physically located in the south, within the territories of Yehuda.4 However, it is difficult to see how Yehuda would tolerate having pockets of a rival nation within its borders. This might be the reason why, later, in the time of Asa, people from Shimon are mentioned as part of a group of Israelites who decided to veer towards Yehuda.5
Shimon
Achiyah had inlcuded Bnyamin among the ten tribes who were to rebel with Yerovam. The missing twelfth tribe was Shimon, which had been subsumed under its neighbor already in the period of the Conquest.
Ten and one – According to this approach, the ten tribes mentioned by Achiyah included Binyamin, whom the prophet assumed would naturally join the House of Yosef in their rebellion,6 while the one tribe referred to Yehuda itself.
The missing tribe – Only eleven tribes are mentioned because already in the era of the Conquest, Shimon had been subsumed under Yehuda and lost its own independent identity.
Change of plan – Achiyah's words were fulfilled, but overturned soon afterwards. When the rebellion first began, all of Israel (including Binyamin) did in fact turn on the House of David and " לֹא הָיָה אַחֲרֵי בֵית דָּוִד זוּלָתִי שֵׁבֶט יְהוּדָה לְבַדּוֹ". However, Rechovam then forced his control over Binyamin,
