Mahanaim

(ma-ha-na-im)

A town in Transjordan that came to be allocated to the tribe of Gad.

Meaning "two camps" the place acquired its name, according to Gen 32:1, after Jacob was met by the angels of God while he was returning from his sojourn with Laban.

It was captured by the Israelites under Joshua and given to the tribe of Gad by Moses (Jos 13:26; 1 Chron 6:80) and was assigned a city of refuge (Jos 21:38).

After the death of Saul, Abner (Saul's cousin and commander of his forces) made Ish-Bosheth (Saul's surviving son) king and made Mahanaim his capital (2 Sam 2:8). Ish-Bosheth's reign lasted all but two years.

Mahanaim later became David's refuge when he was forced to flee Jerusalem when Absalom rose in revolt against him and marched out with an army to destroy him (2 Sam 17:24ff.).

The city became the center of one of Solomon's twelve administrative districts which were responsible for supplying provisions for the royal household; Ahinadab son of Iddo was its governor (1 Ki 4:14).

The Songs of Solomon speaks of "a dance of Mahanaim" (6:9); it looks like the city was not a boring outpost at all!