The Ishmaelites are the descendants of Ishmael, the son born to Abraham through Sarah’s handmaid Hagar. Shortly after Ishmael was conceived, Isaac was born. Soon after Isaac was born, Ishmael began to harass him. Sarah didn’t like this and she told Abraham to send Hagar and her son away. Hagar and Ismael wandered through the desert and almost died. God showed mercy on Hagar and Ishmael by providing them with water and food. He also told Ishmael that he would eventually start 12 nations. The generations of Ishmael are referenced on the Bible Timeline Poster about 1500 BC.
The generations of Ishmael are outlined in Genesis 25:13-17. This passage of the Bible is an outline of the sons that he had. Nebaioth was his first born son and his second son was Kedar. Then there was Abdeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. The 12 tribes of Ishmael had begun from his sons and the tribes were known by their names. The tribes that descended from Ishmael were also numbered twelve just like the tribes of Israel.
The Arabs are one group of people that can trace their lineage back to Ishmael. Most of Ishmael’s descendants settled into the region of modern day Arabia. Many Arabians claim that he is the father of their people. There is some historical proof and some speculation about what happened to the 12 tribes of Ishmael after he passed away.
The tribe of Nebaioth was formly named Nabat and they settled south of the Red Sea. Their land was known as Nabataea in ancient times. Kedar settled in the region of modern day Arabia. Adbeel settled into northwest Arabia and they were also used to protect the entrance into Egypt. No one knows what happened Misbam’s tribe because they were seen as obscure. Mishma settled into Jamal Mishma. Dumah settled into a region of Arabia. Massa also settled into Arabia. Haddad had also settled into Arabia. The tribe of Jetur was known as thieves and robbers and they also were a nomadic people. Naphish only appears in the Biblical records and no one can accurately claim where they ended up. Kedemah settled in a region of the Middle East once known as Kedomoth.
Biblical References to the Generations of Ishmael
- Genesis 16:1-7 Abraham has a child with Hagar and Hagar becomes prideful toward Sarah. She is beaten and then runs away but she has to return in order for Ishmael to be blessed.
- Genesis 16:8-12 an angel tells Hagar that her son will be against everyone and that everyone will be against him. He also tells Hagar that Ishmael will live close to his kin.
- Genesis 17:20 God blesses Ishmael with 12 sons who would become leaders of 12 nations.
Genesis 21:8-19 Sarah notices Ishmael teasing Isaac and she commands Abraham to get rid of Hagar. He does as she commands. God also confirms Sarah wishes and tells Abraham not to worry because he is going to bless Ishmael with a many descendants. God preserves Hagar and Ishmael in order to fulfill this prophecy.
- Genesis 25:12-17 is an outline which shows that God fulfilled his promise to Abraham, Ishmael and Hagar.
References
http://www.icr.org/books/defenders/424/
http://nabataea.net/12tribes.html
http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVanswers/2005/03-17.htm
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2025:12-17&version=NIV
One of the enemies of Israel that David subdued during his wars, were the Edomites. This event is found on the Biblical Timeline Chart around 1040 BC
King David is considered the greatest king in all of Israel. His life was very dynamic and compelling. He killed a giant as a boy, eluded a mad monarch as a young man and by the time he was 30 he was king of God’s chosen people. David’s life was filled with many blessings and with curses. In 2 Samuel 7 David wanted to build a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant and God said that he could gather resources for the project but he wasn’t allow to build the temple. Chapter 7 of Samuel also states that God made a covenant with David so that his lineage would forever remain on the throne of Israel. Shortly after the events of chapter 7, David began to go forth and conquer many enemies in chapter 8. Israel was surrounded by hostile nations on all sides and David’s forces defeated them all.
The Edomites were descendants of Esau who was the brother of Jacob. Esau was the first born son of Isaac and then Jacob. In Genesis 25:23 God told revealed to Isaac that he hated Esau and that he was going to be a rival to his brother. This wasn’t just meant a personal rivalry between the two brothers it was also suppose to affect the two groups of people that the brothers represent. Jacob represents Israel and Esau the Edomites. The promises that God made to Israel was going to come through Jacob and not Esau.
When the Israelites had left out of Egypt and headed toward Canaan they wanted to pass through the Edomites land to arrive at their destination. The Edomites refused them entry and many of the Israelis became discouraged and upset. God told them to honor their request and not to make war against them because the Edomites are their brothers. This is in reference to Esau and Jacob. Even though the Edomites were considered brothers the Edomites were not a godly people. At various different times throughout their history with Israel they attacked and harassed them. They also sided with the enemies of Israel at different points in time in their history.
When King David went out and subdued Isreal’s enemies, God directed his forces toward the Edomites. In the book of 2 Samuel, verses 8:14 King David defeated them and then set up garrisons at strategic points within the land of Edom. He also made the Edomites the servants to Israel. Once again this coincides with the prophecy that God made about Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:23. God said that the older brother (Esau) would be the servant of the younger brother Jacob. This is one time that this prophecy was fulfilled.
The Israelites held control over the Edomites for many years following their defeat under the dominance of King David. In time the Edomites eventually regained their freedom but they still were subject to Israel at various other points in history. King David’s defeat of the Edomites was just one way that God was fulfilling his plan for his people to reclaim all of the land that he promised them.
Bibical References to David and the Edomites
- Genesis 25:23 God judges Esau and Jacob before they were born. He declares that they will have descendants that will be rivals and that the older brother would be servant to the younger brother.
- Numbers 20:21 explains how the Edomites refused to allow the Israelites to go through their territory.
- 2 Samuel 8:6 God was with David as he conquered his enemies including the Edomites.
- 2 Samuel 2:14 David set up garrisons at strategic points in the land of Edom. The Edomites now have to serve the Israelites.
References
http://jimbomkamp.com/2Samuel/2Sam8p1.htm
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+8%3A14%2C2+Samuel+8%3A15&version=KJV
