And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
The verse records the request of the tribes of Gad and Reuben to build sheepfolds for their cattle and cities for their little ones on the east side of the Jordan before joining in the battles of Israel. Their proposal raised concern that they were seeking to secure their own ease and settlement while their fellow tribes would still have to face hardship in taking possession of the land. In response to that concern they promised to fight alongside the other tribes and to continue with them until all Israel had received its inheritance. The verse thus belongs to an account that warns against seeking personal comfort while neglecting shared responsibilities to the whole community.
The verse records the request of the tribes of Gad and Reuben to build sheepfolds for their cattle and cities for their little ones on the east side of the Jordan before joining in the battles of Israel. Their proposal raised concern that they were seeking to secure their own ease and settlement while their fellow tribes would still have to face hardship in taking possession of the land. In response to that concern they promised to fight alongside the other tribes and to continue with them until all Israel had received its inheritance. The verse thus belongs to an account that warns against seeking personal comfort while neglecting shared responsibilities to the whole community.