דברי הימים א, פרק ד׳, פסוק ל״א

The territory of the tribe of Simeon was highly unusual, existing entirely as an enclave within the vast borders of the tribe of Judah. Initially, the people of Judah took Simeon under their protection, allowing them to settle within their region. The various locations listed in the account represent the specific settlements where the people of Simeon lived, most of which had been recognized as their established towns since the days of Joshua [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

However, a major historical shift eventually disrupted this arrangement. As the years passed, the population of Judah grew significantly, making the shared territory too small to support both tribes at once. Feeling the pressure of their expanding numbers, the people of Judah began to argue that the land had only been temporarily lent to Simeon. They demanded their territory back and sought to expel their neighbors.

Commentators agree that the tension over these lands began during the reign of King Saul. Yet, Saul took no action to remove the tribe of Simeon. His inaction stemmed from his constant preoccupation with various wars, as well as his general indifference to the struggles of Judah, which was fueled by his deep hatred for David, a member of that very tribe.

The situation changed completely when David took the throne. With David in power, the tribe of Judah gained the upper hand and formally demanded the return of their land. David supported his tribe and proceeded to expel the people of Simeon from those settlements. For this reason, the historical record carefully notes that these cities belonged to Simeon only until the beginning of David's reign.