V.1-9 This tribe of Simeon received the southern part of what had been given to Judah. Judah failed to do what the children of Joseph did in Joshua 17:14-18. There, their faith and desire gave them energy to get more. Here, weakness and feebleness causes the loss of some of the land to others.
V.10-16 Of the cities and villages belonging to this tribe, Gittah-hepher (v. 13) is perhaps one of the most important in the tribe’s history. If you will look up 2 Kings 14:25 you will see whose home that city became in later years — the last word of that verse is another spelling of this city.
V.17-23 A touching story takes place in Shunem (v. 18, see 2 Kings 4:8-37), where the great prophet Elisha went one time.