This is an overview of the twelve tribes that came from Jacob (Israel, as God called him). Then a brief history of the tribes.
Jacob had twelve sons (Genesis 29:32 – 30:24 and Genesis 35:18), they are as follows in birth order:
- Reuben (L)
- Simeon (L)
- Levi (L)
- Judah (L)
- Dan (B)
- Naphtali (B)
- Gad (Z)
- Asher (Z)
- Issachar (L)
- Issachar (L),
- Joseph (R)
- Benjamin (R)
Jacob’s sons were born to Leah (L), Rachel (R), Leah’s handmaid Zilpah (Z), and Rachel’s handmaid Bilhah (B). These are the sons who became the Biblical tribes, after the Exodus from Egypt these twelve tribes (with Joseph obtaining a double portion give to his two sons). However, the land allotment differs in that Levi did not inherit land for they were the priestly line. The tribe of Levi were given certain cities and was the tribe of the priesthood who received the tithes of the other tribes who tithed from their land. Joseph’s double portion inheritance was divided between his two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim.
Here is the math: Reuben + Simeon – Levi + Judah + Dan + Naphtali + Gad + Asher + Issachar + Zebulun – Joseph + Manasseh + Ephraim + Benjamin = 12. These twelve tribes constituted what would be the children of Israel (speaking of the nation) which eventually divided into the northern kingdom (retained the name Israel with Samaria as its capital for the most part) and the southern kingdom (which was called Judah with Jerusalem as its capital) which happened after the death of Solomon. The split of Israel was prophesized by Ahijah (1 Kings 11:31-35).
Revelation Lists the Tribes
In Revelation the 12 tribes are modified, Dan is removed – most likely because of his idolatry (Judges 18:30-31), also Dan never took full possession of his allotment. Dan’s allotment was small but fertile. Dan learned of an area where a peaceful group of people lived. The tribe of Dan took things into their own hands and wiped out the people of that land so they could then move the entire tribe up to a region close to the sources of the Jordan River. Ephraim is also missing from the list in Revelation. Ephraim was also an idolatrous tribe who had great influence on the northern kingdom. Then, we notice that Levi was added back to the list for by this time there was no longer a need for an earthly priesthood. Joseph was also added back to the list, as for Ephraim (his son) was removed.
Here is the math: Reuben + Simeon + Levi + Judah – Dan + Naphtali + Gad + Asher + Issachar + Zebulun + Joseph + Manasseh – Ephraim + Benjamin = 12.
Note: The twelve tribes are also list in Numbers 1.
David Unites the Tribes
King David (from the tribe of Judah) is the one who unites the twelve tribes into one kingdom, Israel. He establishes political and religious capitol at Jerusalem. He also commissions the temple of God at Jerusalem.
The Division of Israel Prophesized
Ahijah was a prophet from Shiloh during the time of Solomon. Through Ahijah, God had a message that would change the kingdom of Israel forever. This message was relayed to Jeroboam (from the tribe of Ephraim), one of King Solomon’s officials. Scripture says that “Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak” (1 Kings 11:29). While the two men spoke alone in the countryside, Ahijah took hold of his new cloak and tore it into twelve pieces, giving Jeroboam ten of the pieces. He then prophesied that the kingdom would be divided, with Jeroboam becoming king over ten of the tribes (1 Kings 11:31). Ahijah told Jeroboam that, if he followed the Lord and was faithful to the Law, then he would have God’s promise: “I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you” (verse 38). Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to Egypt until Solomon died (1 Kings 11:40).
The Northern Kingdom – Israel
After Solomon’s death, his son – Rehoboam became king and threatened to make life more difficult for the people (1 Kings 12:14). This led to rebellion against Rehoboam, and that was when the ten northern tribes crowned Jeroboam as their king (1 Kings 12:20). Thus becoming the northern kingdom, retaining the name of Israel. The division predicted by Ahijah came to pass (1 Kings 12:15). Jeroboam did not obey the Lord. Instead, he had two golden calves made for the people to worship in the northern kingdom (Israel) and made priests and celebrations for them. King Jeroboam was confronted by an unnamed prophet from Judah (1 Kings 13:1-10). Again, Ahijah pronounced a severe judgment upon the house of Jeroboam because they blatantly rejected the Lord (1 Kings 14:10-11).
The 10 tribes which constituted the northern kingdom were: Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, and Manasseh.
In total, Jeroboam reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel for 22 years, and then “he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.” Nadab reigned over Israel for Israel two years, continuing his father’s idolatry. Then Baasha plotted against Nadab, assassinated him in Philistine territory, and usurped the throne (1 Kings 15:27–28). “As soon as [Baasha] began to reign, he killed Jeroboam’s whole family. He did not leave Jeroboam anyone that breathed, but destroyed them all, according to the word of the Lord given through his servant Ahijah the Shilonite.” The dire prophecy against the house of Jeroboam came true.
Though Jeroboam began well, he did not end well. God raised him up as a king, yet as king he plunged the entire nation into sin. His life offers an example of the powerful influence a person can have over others in a negative way. His judgment shows the truth of Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
A little over a century after Jeroboam’s death, another king named Jeroboam ruled over Israel. King Jeroboam II came to power in 793 BC. He also did evil in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 14:24). However, the Lord granted Jeroboam II military victories against the Syrians and used Jeroboam II to preserve His people (2 Kings 14:27–28).
The division of the tribes spoken about above came after King Solomon’s death which took place around 930 BC. Because of Israel’s idolatry the kingdom eventually falls to Assyria (2 Kings 17).
The Southern Kingdom – Judah
The southern kingdom were the tribes of Judah and Benjamin – out of which the Jews came, and the southern kingdom was called Judah. The tribe of Levi served as priest in the southern kingdom. Because of Judah’s idolatry the kingdom eventually falls to Babylon (2 Chron. 36).
Resource:
This will be a good resources for the map that shows the division of the promised land to the 12 tribes of Israel. https://www.conformingtojesus.com/charts-maps/en/12_tribes_of_israel_map.htm