דברי הימים א, פרק ד׳, פסוק ל״ד

A record of prominent leaders from the tribe of Simeon highlights a critical period of expansion and conquest, as these men took charge to secure new territories for their people. Specific individuals, such as Meshobab, Jamlech, and Joshah, served as the princes and heads of the ancestral households within the tribe [רד״ק]. The ongoing catalog of names ultimately amounts to exactly thirteen leaders [רש״י]. This specific count directly corresponds to the thirteen cities originally granted to the tribe of Simeon, with each leader representing a distinct family tied to one of those specific cities [מלבי״ם].

The campaign for new land took place well after the reign of King David [רד״ק], specifically occurring later during the era of King Hezekiah [מלבי״ם]. Driven by a need for greater territory, the tribe of Simeon successfully expanded its borders under the guidance of these thirteen men [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They journeyed to a region previously inhabited by the descendants of Ham, defeated the local population, took their property, and established their own settlements in the newly conquered area [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].