(10) The third division was also in the land of the Philistines, being part of the territory assigned to Judah. Sochoh is mentioned in Joshua 15:35, and is noticed in 1 Samuel 17:1-3 as close to the field of battle on which David slew Goliath. Hepher is an old Amorite city which was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 12:17), still, by a curious survival, giving its name to the whole district, to which the name Aruboth (otherwise unknown) is here also given.
Verse 10. - The son of Hesed [Ben. Hosed], in Aruboth (Heb. Arubboth, unknown]; to him pertained Sochoh [there were two cities of this name, one in the mountain (Joshua 15:48), and one in the "valley" (the Shefelah, Joshua 15:33, 35), and both in the tribe of Judah, from which, therefore, this third district was taken], and all the land of Hepher. [Joshua 12:17. Ewald holds that this place was in Manasseh, and that "it is impossible in the twelve districts to find any portion of... Judah." But see above.]
4:1-19 In the choice of the great officers of Solomon's court, no doubt, his wisdom appeared. Several are the same that were in his father's time. A plan was settled by which no part of the country was exhausted to supply his court, though each sent its portion.
The son of Hesed in Aruboth,.... Which seems to have been in the tribe of Judah by the places that follow:
to him pertained Sochoh; there were two places of this name in that tribe, Joshua 15:35;
and all the land of Hepher: there was an Hepher in the land of Canaan, which was a royal city in the times of the Canaanites, Joshua 12:17; and there was an Hepher, the name of a man, a descendant of Judah, to whom, very probably, this land belonged, 1 Chronicles 4:6; unless it can be thought to be the portion of land given to the daughters of Hepher, Joshua 17:3.
to him pertained Sochoh; there were two places of this name in that tribe, Joshua 15:35;
and all the land of Hepher: there was an Hepher in the land of Canaan, which was a royal city in the times of the Canaanites, Joshua 12:17; and there was an Hepher, the name of a man, a descendant of Judah, to whom, very probably, this land belonged, 1 Chronicles 4:6; unless it can be thought to be the portion of land given to the daughters of Hepher, Joshua 17:3.