Bible Commentaries
Judges 1

Verse 1

Now = And. Commencing with the same word as the preceding books; thus connecting them all together. The book of Joshua = the inheritance possessed: Judges = the inheritance despised. Records the failure of the People, and the faithfulness of Jehovah. The Epilogue (Judges 21:25 ) gives the key to the whole book. See note on Judges 17:6 .

Joshua. Compare Joshua 24:29 .

children = sons.

asked = enquired: i.e. by Urim and Thummim, as in Judges 18:5 ; Judges 20:18 . See note on Exodus 28:30 . Numbers 26:55 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Who . . . ? All had been commanded. Deuteronomy 20:17 . Joshua 10:40 .

Verse 2

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ). Some codices. with three early printed editions, read "and behold".

Verse 5

Adoni-bezek = Lord of Bezek. Bezek was seventeen miles south of Shechem. Compare 1 Samuel 11:8 . Compare Joshua 15:13-19 .

Verse 6

Cut off. As he had done to others. See Judges 1:7 .

Verse 7

gathered. i.e. [the pieces].

as = according as.

God Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 8

Jerusalem. The first occurrence is in Joshua 10:1 , in connection with Adoni-zedek's fear of its being "utterly destroyed" like Ai. Here, in Judges 1:8 , we have a picture of its future history in miniature. See App-63 . The Tel-el- Amarna tablets contain a long correspondence with Egypt about 1400 B.C.

taken it. The citadel not taken till 2 Samuel 5:6-9 , by David.

Verse 9

mountain = hill country.

south. Hebrew. Negeb.

valley = lowlands

Verse 10

now. Note the Figure of speech Parenthesis ( App-6 ), and compare with Judges 1:17 .

Hebron. Compare Numbers 13:22 .Joshua 14:13 .

Kirjath-arba. Compare Genesis 23:2 .Joshua 14:15 ; Joshua 20:7 .

Sheshai. These are sons of Anak. Compare Judges 1:20 .

Verse 11

Debir . . . Kirjath-sepher. See note on Joshua 11:21 and Jdg 15:49 .

Verse 13

Othniel Mentioned only here; and Judges 3:9-11 .Joshua 15:17 ; and 1 Chronicles 4:13 .

Verse 14

to him. Supply Fig, Ellipsis with "home".

a = the.

What Wilt thou? or, What aileth thee? Joshua 15:18 , Joshua 15:19 .

Verse 16

Kenite. A non-Israelite race (Genesis 15:19 . Numbers 24:21 , &c. 1 Samuel 27:10 ; 1 Samuel 30:29 ). See Saul's correspondence with them (1 Samuel 15:6 ). One branch in the north (Judges 4:11 ).

palm trees: i.e. Jeremiah 3:13 .Deuteronomy 34:3 .

the People: i.e. Israel.

Verse 17

destroyed = devoted.

Hormah = utter destruction.

Verse 18

took Gaza, &c. These were wholly or partially retaken by the enemy, Compare Judges 14:19 ; Jdg 16:1 . 1 Samuel 5:10 . Perhaps this accounts for the Septuagint reading, "Judah too did not inherit".

coast = border.

Verse 19

he drave out = he possessed. (Omit italics.)

mountain = hill country.

valley = lowlands.

chariots of iron. Compare Judges 4:3 .

Verse 20

as = accordingas. Compare Numbers 14:24 .Joshua 14:13 ; Joshua 15:13 .

three sons of Anak. See their names in Judges 1:10 and App-23 and App-25 .

Verse 21

did not drive out. Compare Joshua 15:63 ; Jos 18:28 . 2 Samuel 5:6-10 .

Verse 23

Luz. Compare Genesis 28:19 , and see Joshua 16:1 , Joshua 16:2 . Luz and Beth-el not two cities. 34

spies = sentries.

Verse 26

Hittites. A nation north of Syria, mentioned on Egyptian inscriptions from 1500 B.C.

Verse 27

Neither . . . nor. Note the Figure of speech Paradiastole ( App-6 ) in verses: Judges 1:29-33 . Emphasizing the unfaithfulness and disobedience, the cause of all subsequent trouble.

drive out = possess.

Verse 29

dwelt: i.e. in friendly relations. Psalms 133:1 . 2 Kings 4:13 . See note on 1 Kings 9:16 , 1 Kings 9:17 .

Verse 32

dwelt among = dwelt in the inside, as in the heart or bowels of the Canaanites; verses: Judges 1:27-30 are very different.

Verse 35

hand. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , by which the hand is put for the power exerted by it,

Verse 36

coast = border or boundary. Judges 2:0 gives a summary of events from Judges 3:1 , Judges 3:16 , Judges 3:31 . The period it covers is therefore 1434-1100, i.e. 334 years.