Judges 1

Judges 1 begins the narrative of the conquest of Canaan after Joshua's death. It details how the tribes of Israel sought the Lord’s guidance in fighting the Canaanites, recounting victories and failures as they attempted to fully claim their inheritance. This chapter shows the beginning of Israel's struggle to complete the conquest and the consequences of their incomplete obedience.

Judges 1:1 (NKJV)
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?”

After Joshua’s leadership ended, Israel sought divine guidance about who should lead them in battle. This demonstrates their dependence on God for direction, especially as they faced the ongoing task of taking possession of the land of Canaan. It also highlights the uncertainty that came after Joshua's death, marking a transition period for Israel.

Judges 1:2-5 (NKJV)
2 And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.”
3 So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him.
4 Then Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek.
5 And they found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek, and fought against him; and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

The Lord appointed Judah to lead the charge, indicating His favor on Judah’s tribe. Judah partnered with Simeon, reflecting the unity between the tribes. Their victory at Bezek, with the defeat of ten thousand men, signified a strong start to the conquest. The capture of Adoni-Bezek, the Canaanite ruler, marked an important success in their campaign.

Judges 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
7 And Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” Then they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Adoni-Bezek’s capture and the mutilation he suffered was a form of justice according to his own actions. He acknowledged that his fate was divine retribution for how he had treated other kings, which underscores the biblical theme of justice. His death in Jerusalem concludes his role in the narrative, symbolizing the downfall of the Canaanite leadership.

Judges 1:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Now the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it; they struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire.
9 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who dwelt in the mountains, in the South, and in the lowland.
10 Then Judah went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron. (Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kirjath Arba.) And they killed Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

Judah's conquest continued with the capture and destruction of Jerusalem, showing their military strength. However, this victory was temporary, as later narratives suggest Jerusalem was not fully controlled by Israel. The focus then shifts to other strategic locations like Hebron, where they defeated three notable Canaanite leaders, further expanding their influence in the region.

Judges 1:11-15 (NKJV)
11 From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. (The name of Debir was formerly Kirjath Sepher.)
12 Then Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife.”
13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; so he gave him his daughter Achsah as wife.
14 Now it happened, when she came to him, that she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?”
15 So she said to him, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

The story of Caleb and Othniel highlights a personal aspect of the conquest. Othniel’s bravery earned him Caleb’s daughter, Achsah, as his wife. Achsah's request for water sources shows her wisdom and assertiveness, securing vital resources for her family's prosperity. This narrative not only depicts military success but also the importance of land and resources in sustaining life in the Promised Land.

Judges 1:16 (NKJV)
Now the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the City of Palms with the children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

The Kenites, related to Moses through his father-in-law, joined Judah in the southern regions. This inclusion shows the continued relationship between Israel and non-Israelite groups loyal to them, such as the Kenites, who shared in the settlement of the land. Their alliance strengthened Judah's presence in the southern wilderness.

Judges 1:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah.
18 Also Judah took Gaza with its territory, Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory.

Judah and Simeon's alliance continued, leading to the destruction of Zephath, renamed Hormah, meaning "destruction." Their victories extended into key Philistine cities—Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—although these territories would remain contested in later periods. This expansion, though significant, did not fully secure the land from future conflicts.

Judges 1:19-21 (NKJV)
19 So the Lord was with Judah. And they drove out the mountaineers, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had chariots of iron.
20 And they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had said. Then he expelled from there the three sons of Anak.
21 But the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; so the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

Despite the Lord's presence with Judah, they faced challenges, particularly against the iron chariots of the lowland Canaanites, which hindered complete conquest. Caleb's inheritance of Hebron followed Moses' promise, affirming God's faithfulness. However, the failure of Benjamin to expel the Jebusites from Jerusalem reveals incomplete obedience and would cause future problems.

Judges 1:22-26 (NKJV)
22 And the house of Joseph also went up against Bethel, and the Lord was with them.
23 So the house of Joseph sent men to spy out Bethel. (The name of the city was formerly Luz.)
24 And when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city, and we will show you mercy.”
25 So he showed them the entrance to the city, and they struck the city with the edge of the sword; but they let the man and all his family go.
26 And the man went to the land of the Hittites, built a city, and called its name Luz, which is its name to this day.

The tribe of Joseph received divine assistance in capturing Bethel. The use of spies and the promise of mercy to the man who helped them shows a strategy similar to what was used in Jericho. Although they destroyed the city, the man’s family was spared, and he relocated to the land of the Hittites, where he rebuilt a city named Luz, showing how the Canaanite influence persisted even after conquest.

Judges 1:27-28 (NKJV)
27 However, Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.
28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites under tribute, but did not completely drive them out.

Manasseh's failure to fully drive out the Canaanites in several key areas reflects the growing pattern of incomplete conquest. Though the Israelites managed to subdue the Canaanites and impose a tribute on them, the continued Canaanite presence suggests that Israel’s dominance was not absolute, which would later contribute to spiritual and social challenges.

Judges 1:29-30 (NKJV)
29 Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; so the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
30 Nor did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanites dwelt among them, and were put under tribute.

Ephraim and Zebulun followed the same pattern of incomplete conquest as Manasseh. Rather than fully removing the Canaanite influence from their respective territories, they allowed them to remain and imposed tribute. This policy of co-existence with the Canaanites would result in cultural and religious compromises for Israel.

Judges 1:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Nor did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, or Rehob.
32 So the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out.

The tribe of Asher failed to drive out the Canaanites from their allotted cities, leading them to live among the Canaanites instead of removing them. This situation shows that some tribes did not even attempt to impose tribute or authority, indicating a lack of effort in fulfilling God's command to completely occupy the land.

Judges 1:33 (NKJV)
Nor did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth Anath; but they dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were put under tribute.

Naphtali, like the other tribes, failed to remove the Canaanites, choosing instead to live among them while imposing tribute. This reflects the continuing pattern of incomplete obedience among the tribes. The Canaanites’ persistent presence posed a spiritual and cultural danger to Israel, as they remained a significant influence in the land.

Judges 1:34-36 (NKJV)
34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountains, for they would not allow them to come down to the valley;
35 and the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim; yet when the strength of the house of Joseph became greater, they were put under tribute.
36 Now the boundary of the Amorites was from the Ascent of Akrabbim, from Sela, and upward.

Dan faced significant opposition from the Amorites, who restricted them to the mountains, preventing them from settling in the valley. However, the house of Joseph eventually grew stronger and placed the Amorites under tribute. Despite this, the Amorites maintained control over certain territories, marking an incomplete conquest and foreshadowing the struggles Israel would face with surrounding nations.