Bible Commentaries
Judges 1

Verses 1-36

The Book of Judges covers historically a period from the death of Joshua to the judgeship of Samuel and the introduction of the monarchy.

It opens with a description of the general condition of affairs at the close of the period of Joshua's leadership. He had led the people into possession of the land but had left them with much to be done ere its final subjugation. Their fist act was to seek to know the will of God as to who should commence this final work of conquest. Judah, the kingly tribe, was appointed. Simeon's inheritance lay within the borders of Judah and therefore Simeon acted together with Judah.

The story as here given reveals that whereas the work began in earnest, it gradually weakened. The Lord was with Judah and victories resulted. The Lord was with Joseph and Beth-el was taken. Manasseh and Ephraim and all the rest weakened in the work and Canaanites were left in possession. This false toleration or manifestation of cowardice resulted in their ultimate undoing. The confession of Adonibezek (verse 7) is remarkable as revealing the fact that one of their own number was conscious of the corruption which had overtaken the people of the land and of the consequent justice of the divine procedure.