BSB
Judges 1
1After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”
2“Judah shall go up,” answered the LORD. “Indeed, I have delivered the land into their hands.”
3Then the men of Judah said to their brothers the Simeonites, “Come up with us to our allotted territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites. And we likewise will go with you to your territory.” So the Simeonites went with them.
4When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek.
5And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites.
6As Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
7Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.
8Then the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire.
9Afterward, the men of Judah marched down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, in the Negev, and in the foothills.
10Judah also marched against the Canaanites who were living in Hebron (formerly known as Kiriath-arba), and they struck down Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
11From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).
12And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”
13So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
14One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”
15“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.
16Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people.
17Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah.
18And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.
19The LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had chariots of iron.
20Just as Moses had promised, Judah gave Hebron to Caleb, who drove out the descendants of the three sons of Anak.
21The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.
22The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel, and the LORD was with them.
23They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz),
24and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.”
25So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.
26And the man went to the land of the Hittites, built a city, and called it Luz, which is its name to this day.
27At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.
28When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely.
29Ephraim also failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer; so the Canaanites continued to dwell among them in Gezer.
30Zebulun failed to drive out the inhabitants of Kitron and Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and served as forced laborers.
31Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.
32So the Asherites lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out.
33Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. So the Naphtalites also lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, but the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served them as forced laborers.
34The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain.
35And the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. But when the house of Joseph grew in strength, they pressed the Amorites into forced labor.
36And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond.
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Accho: Also Called Ptolemais, a Town of Phoenicia Judges 1:31
Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.
Achsah: Caleb's Daughter Judges 1:9–13
Afterward, the men of Judah marched down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, in the Negev, and in the foothills. / Judah also marched against the Canaanites who were living in Hebron (formerly known as Kiriath-arba), and they struck down Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. / From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).
Achzib: A City of Asher Judges 1:31
Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.
Adoni-Bezek: King of Bezek Judges 1:4–7
When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. / And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites. / As Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
Ahlab: A City of Asher, the Original Inhabitants of Which Were not Expelled Judges 1:31
Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.
Ajalon: A City of Dan: Amorites of, not Exterminated Judges 1:35
And the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. But when the house of Joseph grew in strength, they pressed the Amorites into forced labor.
Akrabbim: A Chain of Hills in the South of Palestine Judges 1:36
And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond.
Amorites: Not Exterminated Judges 1:34–36
The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain. / And the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. But when the house of Joseph grew in strength, they pressed the Amorites into forced labor. / And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond.
Amorites: Territory of Judges 1:35, 36
And the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. But when the house of Joseph grew in strength, they pressed the Amorites into forced labor. / And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond.
Anakim: Defeated by Caleb Judges 1:20
Just as Moses had promised, Judah gave Hebron to Caleb, who drove out the descendants of the three sons of Anak.
Aphek: A City of the Tribe of Asher: Called Aphik Judges 1:31
Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.
Armies: March in Ranks of Beth-El Judges 1:23, 24
They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz), / and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.”
Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Judges 1:3
Then the men of Judah said to their brothers the Simeonites, “Come up with us to our allotted territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites. And we likewise will go with you to your territory.” So the Simeonites went with them.
Armies: March in Ranks: Seeking Counsel from God Before Battle Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”
Ashkelon: Captured by the People of Judah Judges 1:18
And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.
Beth-Anath: A Fortified City of Naphtali Judges 1:33
Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. So the Naphtalites also lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, but the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served them as forced laborers.
Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: Conquered by the Household of Joseph Judges 1:22–26
The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel, and the LORD was with them. / They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz), / and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.”
Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: The Ancient City Adjacent To, and Finally Embraced In, Was Called Luz Judges 1:23–26
They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz), / and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.” / So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.
Beth-Shean: Not Subdued Judges 1:27
At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.
Beth-Shemesh: A Fortified City of the Territory of the Tribe of Naphtali Judges 1:33
Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. So the Naphtalites also lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, but the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served them as forced laborers.
Betrayal of Cities Judges 1:24, 25
and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.” / So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.
Bezek: Residence of Adoni-Bezek Judges 1:5
And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites.
Bochim: A Place West of the Jordan River, Near Gilgal Judges 1:5
And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites.
Caleb: Leader of the Israelites After Joshua's Death Judges 1:11, 12
From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). / And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”
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Judges 1:1-8 Verses 1-8
The Israelites were convinced that the war against the Canaanites was to be continued; but they were in doubt as to the manner in which it was to be carried on after the death of Joshua. In these respects they inquired of the Lord. God appoints service according to the strength he has given. From those who are most able, most work is expected. Judah was first in dignity, and must be first in duty. Judah's service will not avail unless God give success; but God will not give the success, unless Judah applies to the service. Judah was the most considerable of all the tribes, and Simeon the least; yet Judah begs Simeon's friendship, and prays for aid from him. It becomes Israelites to help one another against Canaanites; and all Christians, even those of different tribes, should strengthen one another. Those who thus help one another in love, have reason to hope that God will graciously help both. Adoni-bezek was taken prisoner. This prince had been a severe tyrant. The Israelites, doubtless under the Divine direction, made him suffer what he had done to others; and his own conscience confessed that he was justly treated as he had treated others. Thus the righteous God sometimes, in his providence, makes the punishment answer the sin.
Judges 1:9-20 Verses 9-20
The Canaanites had iron chariots; but Israel had God on their side, whose chariots are thousands of angels, Ps 68:17. Yet they suffered their fears to prevail against their faith. About Caleb we read in Jos 15:16-19. The Kenites had settled in the land. Israel let them fix where they pleased, being a quiet, contented people. They that molested none, were molested by none. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Judges 1:21-36 Verses 21-36
The people of Israel were very careless of their duty and interest. Owing to slothfulness and cowardice, they would not be at the pains to complete their conquests. It was also owing to their covetousness: they were willing to let the Canaanites live among them, that they might make advantage of them. They had not the dread and detestation of idolatry they ought to have had. The same unbelief that kept their fathers forty years out of Canaan, kept them now out of the full possession of it. Distrust of the power and promise of God deprived them of advantages, and brought them into troubles. Thus many a believer who begins well is hindered. His graces languish, his lusts revive, Satan plies him with suitable temptations, the world recovers its hold; he brings guilt into his conscience, anguish into his heart, discredit on his character, and reproach on the gospel. Though he may have sharp rebukes, and be so recovered that he does not perish, yet he will have deeply to lament his folly through his remaining days; and upon his dying bed to mourn over the opportunities of glorifying God and serving the church he has lost. We can have no fellowship with the enemies of God within us or around us, but to our hurt; therefore our only wisdom is to maintain unceasing war against them.