Bible Commentaries
Judges 1

Introduction

Overview

Judges 1:1, The acts of Judah and Simeon; Judges 1:4, Adonibezek justly requited; Judges 1:8, Jerusalem taken; Judges 1:10, Hebron taken; Judges 1:11, Othniel has Achsah to wife for taking of Debir; Judges 1:16, The Kenites dwell in Judah; Judges 1:17, Hormah, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron taken; Judges 1:21, The acts of Benjamin; Judges 1:22, Of the house of Joseph, who take Beth-el; Judges 1:30, Of Zebulun; Judges 1:31, Of Asher; Judges 1:33, Of Naphtali; Judges 1:34, Of Dan.

Verse 1

Now: Joshua 24:29, Joshua 24:30

asked: Judges 20:18, Judges 20:28, Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21, 1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:10, 1 Samuel 23:9, 1 Samuel 23:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:8 - thy hand Numbers 2:3 - the standard Deuteronomy 33:7 - and bring Joshua 5:1 - Canaanites Joshua 9:14 - asked not Judges 10:18 - What man 1 Samuel 9:9 - inquire 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired 1 Samuel 14:37 - Shall I go 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Chronicles 6:34 - by the way Proverbs 20:18 - and

Verse 2

Genesis 49:8-10, Numbers 2:3, Numbers 7:12, Psalms 78:68-70, Hebrews 7:14, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 19:11-16

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:12 - Judah Judges 1:19 - the Lord Judges 20:18 - Judah Judges 20:28 - Go up 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever 1 Chronicles 5:2 - Judah 2 Chronicles 6:34 - by the way Proverbs 20:18 - and

Verse 3

Simeon: Genesis 29:33, Joshua 19:1

I likewise: Judges 1:17, 2 Samuel 10:11

Reciprocal: Revelation 7:7 - Simeon

Verse 4

Lord: Exodus 23:28, Exodus 23:29, Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 9:3, Joshua 10:8-10, Joshua 11:6-8, 1 Samuel 14:6, 1 Samuel 14:10, 1 Samuel 17:46, 1 Samuel 17:47, 1 Kings 22:6, 1 Kings 22:15

Bezek: Eusebius and Jerome mention two villages of this name, near each other, about seventeen miles from Shechem, towards Scythopolis. 1 Samuel 11:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:31 - deliver the Deuteronomy 2:33 - the Lord Judges 11:32 - the Lord 1 Samuel 26:8 - God 2 Chronicles 13:16 - God delivered

Verse 5

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 11:8 - Bezek

Verse 6

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:26 - the waters Exodus 21:24 - General Joshua 15:16 - General Esther 8:12 - one day Psalms 59:11 - Slay Psalms 107:40 - contempt Psalms 149:8 - General Jeremiah 34:17 - behold Jeremiah 50:15 - as she

Verse 7

their thumbs: Heb. the thumbs of their hands and of their feet, This was not an unusual act of cruelty in ancient times towards enemies. - Alian informs us, that in after ages "the Athenians, at the instigation of Cleon, son of Cleoenetus, made a decree that all the inhabitants of the island of Agina should have the thumb cut off from the right hand, so that they might ever after be disabled from holding a spear, yet might handle an oar." It was a custom among those Romans who did not like a military life, to cut off their thumbs, that they might be incapable of serving in the army; and for the same reason, parents sometimes cut off the thumbs of their children.

gathered: or, gleaned

as I have: Exodus 21:23-25, Leviticus 24:19-21, 1 Samuel 15:33, Isaiah 33:1, Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2, Luke 6:37, Luke 6:38, Romans 2:15, James 2:13, Revelation 13:10, Revelation 16:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:36 - General Genesis 29:25 - wherefore Genesis 42:21 - we saw Genesis 44:16 - God hath Exodus 14:26 - the waters Exodus 21:24 - General 1 Samuel 11:11 - slew 2 Samuel 1:10 - slew 2 Samuel 10:19 - servants 1 Kings 16:11 - he slew 1 Kings 20:1 - Thirty and two 1 Kings 21:19 - In the place 2 Kings 11:16 - there was she slain 2 Chronicles 12:6 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 23:15 - they slew her there Esther 8:12 - one day Psalms 9:16 - known Psalms 10:14 - to requite Psalms 59:11 - Slay Psalms 107:40 - contempt Psalms 149:8 - General Proverbs 12:10 - but Jeremiah 34:17 - behold Jeremiah 50:15 - as she Jeremiah 51:49 - As Babylon Lamentations 1:18 - Lord Ezekiel 31:11 - he shall surely deal with him Daniel 11:18 - he shall cause Joel 3:7 - and will Obadiah 1:15 - as Luke 7:29 - justified

Verse 8

Judges 1:21, Joshua 15:63

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:8 - the Jebusite Joshua 18:16 - Jebusi Judges 19:10 - Jebus 2 Samuel 5:6 - Jerusalem

Verse 9

afterward: Joshua 10:36, Joshua 11:21, Joshua 15:13-20

valley: or, low country

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:17 - the mountain

Verse 10

Kirjatharba: Joshua 14:15

Sheshai: Judges 1:20, Numbers 13:22, Numbers 13:33, Joshua 15:13, Joshua 15:14, Psalms 33:16, Psalms 33:17, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Jeremiah 9:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:2 - Kirjatharba Deuteronomy 1:28 - we have seen Joshua 10:36 - Hebron Joshua 11:21 - the Anakims Joshua 21:11 - the city of Arba

Verse 11

Debir: Joshua 10:38, Joshua 10:39, Joshua 15:15

Reciprocal: Joshua 11:21 - the Anakims Joshua 15:49 - Kirjathsannah

Verse 12

And Caleb: The whole of this account is found in Joshua 15:13-19, and seems to be inserted here by way of recapitulation. Joshua 15:16, Joshua 15:17, 1 Samuel 17:25, 1 Samuel 18:23

to him: In ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage; and it was customary for a king or great man to promise his daughter in marriage to him who should take a city, etc.

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:36 - Caleb 1 Chronicles 4:15 - Caleb Esther 6:3 - What honour Psalms 60:9 - Who Jeremiah 29:6 - take wives

Verse 13

Judges 3:9

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:16 - General Joshua 15:17 - Othniel 1 Chronicles 4:13 - Kenaz Esther 6:3 - What honour

Verse 14

And it came: Joshua 15:18, Joshua 15:19

and she lighted: Watitznach, "she hastily or suddenly alighted," as if she had forgotten something, or was about to return.

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:64 - lighted 1 Samuel 25:23 - lighted

Verse 15

a blessing: Genesis 33:11, 1 Samuel 25:18, 1 Samuel 25:27, 2 Corinthians 9:5, *marg. Hebrews 6:7, 1 Peter 3:9

a south land: Which was probably dry, or very ill watered.

give me also springs of water: Let me have some fields with brooks, or wells already digged.

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:25 - reproved Numbers 13:17 - southward Joshua 15:19 - Give me

Verse 16

the Kenite: Judges 4:11, Judges 4:17, Numbers 10:29-32, Numbers 24:21, Numbers 24:22, 1 Samuel 15:6, 1 Chronicles 2:15, Jeremiah 35:2

Moses': Exodus 3:1, Exodus 4:18, Exodus 18:1, Exodus 18:7, Exodus 18:12, Exodus 18:14-17, Exodus 18:27, Numbers 10:29

city of palm: Judges 3:13, Deuteronomy 34:3, 2 Chronicles 28:16

which: Numbers 21:1, Joshua 12:14

they went: Numbers 10:29-32, 1 Samuel 15:6

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:32 - General 1 Samuel 27:10 - Kenites 1 Samuel 30:29 - Kenites 1 Chronicles 2:55 - Kenites 2 Chronicles 28:15 - the city

Verse 17

And Judah: Judges 1:3

Zephath: 2 Chronicles 14:10, Zephathah

Hormah: Numbers 14:45, Numbers 21:3, Joshua 19:4

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:30 - Hormah 1 Samuel 30:30 - Hormah

Verse 18

Joshua 11:22, Joshua 13:3, Joshua 15:45-47, 1 Samuel 6:17

Also Judah: There is the following remarkable variation here in the Septuagint:

בי ןץך וךכחסןםןלחףום ןץהבע פחם בזבם, ןץהו פב ןסיב בץפחע; ןץהו פחם ףךבכשםב, ןץהו פב ןסיב בץפחע; ךבי פחם ךךבסשם, ןץהו פב ןסיב בץפחע; פחם זשפןם, ןץהו פב נוסיףנןסיב בץפחע. But Judah did not possess Gaza, nor the coasts thereof; nor Askelon, nor the coasts thereof; nor Ekron, nor the coasts thereof; nor Ashdod, nor the coasts thereof." Procopius and Augustine read the same; and Josephus - Ant. 1. v. c. 2 sec. 4 says that the Israelites only took Askelon and Ashdod, but not Gaza or Ekron; and from Judges 3:3, and the whole succeeding history, it appears that these cities were not in the possession of the Israelites, but of the Philistines.

Gaza: Judges 3:3, Judges 16:1, Judges 16:2, Judges 16:21, Exodus 23:31

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 5:10 - God to Ekron Obadiah 1:19 - the plain

Verse 19

the Lord: Judges 1:2, Judges 6:12, Judges 6:13, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:21, Joshua 1:5, Joshua 1:9, Joshua 14:12, 2 Samuel 5:10, 2 Kings 18:7, Psalms 46:7, Psalms 46:11, Psalms 60:12, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:14, Isaiah 41:15, Matthew 1:23, Romans 8:31

he drave: etc. or he possessed the mountain

but could: Not because the iron chariots were too strong for Omnipotence, or because he refused to help them; but because their courage and faith failed when they saw them. Judges 1:27-32, Joshua 7:12, Matthew 14:30, Matthew 14:31, Matthew 17:19, Matthew 17:20, Philippians 4:13

chariots: Exodus 14:7-31, Joshua 11:1-9, Joshua 17:16-18, Psalms 46:9

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:17 - the mountain Judges 1:22 - the Lord Judges 2:14 - could not Judges 4:3 - chariots Psalms 106:34 - did not Obadiah 1:19 - the plain

Verse 20

they gave: Numbers 14:24, Deuteronomy 1:36, Joshua 14:9-14, Joshua 15:13, Joshua 15:14, Joshua 21:11, Joshua 21:12

the three sons: Judges 1:10, Numbers 13:22

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:28 - saw the Deuteronomy 1:28 - we have seen Joshua 11:21 - the Anakims Joshua 14:12 - I shall Joshua 14:13 - gave unto 1 Chronicles 6:55 - Hebron

Verse 21

Judges 19:10-12, Joshua 15:63, Joshua 18:11-28, 2 Samuel 5:6-9

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:16 - Jebusite Numbers 33:55 - shall be pricks Deuteronomy 33:12 - The beloved Joshua 15:8 - the Jebusite Joshua 18:16 - Jebusi Judges 1:8 - General Judges 19:11 - the Jebusites 2 Samuel 24:16 - the Jebusite 1 Kings 9:21 - left 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Jebusite 1 Chronicles 8:28 - dwelt 1 Chronicles 11:4 - Jebus 2 Chronicles 8:8 - whom the children Psalms 106:34 - did not Jeremiah 6:1 - O ye

Verse 22

the house: Numbers 1:10, Numbers 1:32, Joshua 14:4, Joshua 16:1-4, 1 Chronicles 7:29, Revelation 7:8

the Lord: Judges 1:19, Genesis 49:24, 2 Kings 18:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:19 - the name Genesis 35:6 - Luz Numbers 14:9 - the Lord Joshua 12:16 - Bethel Joshua 16:2 - Bethel Joshua 18:13 - side of Luz 1 Samuel 30:27 - Bethel 1 Kings 11:28 - the house 1 Chronicles 7:28 - Bethel Amos 5:6 - the house

Verse 23

sent: Judges 18:2, Joshua 2:1, Joshua 7:2

Luz: Genesis 28:19, Genesis 35:6, Genesis 48:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:27 - Bethel 1 Kings 11:28 - the house 1 Chronicles 19:3 - to search Amos 5:6 - the house

Verse 24

we will: Joshua 2:12-14, 1 Samuel 30:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:9 - Ye are spies Deuteronomy 7:2 - make no Joshua 2:14 - when the Lord Joshua 6:25 - Rahab Judges 8:14 - caught 1 Samuel 30:16 - when he 1 Chronicles 19:3 - to search Psalms 60:9 - Who Psalms 116:8 - and my feet

Verse 25

they smote: Joshua 6:22-25

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:14 - when the Lord Joshua 6:25 - Rahab Judges 8:14 - caught 1 Samuel 30:16 - when he Psalms 60:9 - Who

Verse 26

the land: 2 Kings 7:6, 2 Chronicles 1:17

Reciprocal: Joshua 4:9 - and they are there 1 Chronicles 4:43 - unto this day Matthew 27:8 - unto

Verse 27

Manasseh: Joshua 17:11-13

Taanach: Judges 5:19, Joshua 21:25

the Canaanites: Exodus 23:32, Deuteronomy 7:2, 1 Samuel 15:9, Psalms 106:34, Psalms 106:35, Jeremiah 48:10

Reciprocal: Joshua 11:2 - Dor Joshua 17:12 - General Judges 1:19 - but could 1 Samuel 31:10 - Bethshan 1 Kings 4:11 - Dor 1 Kings 9:21 - left 2 Kings 9:27 - Ibleam 2 Kings 23:29 - Megiddo 1 Chronicles 4:10 - enlarge 1 Chronicles 6:70 - Bileam 1 Chronicles 7:29 - Megiddo

Verse 28

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:25 - a servant Deuteronomy 20:11 - tributaries Joshua 17:12 - General Joshua 17:13 - waxen strong 1 Samuel 14:24 - I may be 1 Kings 9:21 - levy

Verse 29

Joshua 16:10, 1 Kings 9:16

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:33 - Gezer Judges 3:5 - dwelt 1 Samuel 27:8 - the Amalekites 1 Kings 9:15 - Gezer

Verse 30

Kitron: The Talmudists say Kitron is "tzippor," that is, Sepphoris, or Diocesarea, a celebrated city of Galilee, now the village Safoury, situated in the plain of Esdraelon, twenty miles - north-west from Tiberias, according to Benjamin of Tudela.

Nahalol: Joshua 19:15

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 20:11 - tributaries Joshua 17:13 - put the Judges 1:33 - became

Verse 31

Asher: Joshua 19:24-30

Accho: Accho, the Ptolemais of the Greeks and Romans, and called Saint John of Acre by the Crusaders, is situated on the Mediterranean, in a fine plain, at the north angle of a bay to which it gives name, and which extends in a semicircle of three leagues as far as Carmel, and nine leagues from Tyre.

Zidon: Another celebrated city of Phoenicia, now Saide, situated in a fine country on the Mediterranean, 400 stadia from Berytus, and 200 - north from Tyre, according to Strabo, one day's journey from Paneas, according to Josephus, and sixty-six miles from Damascus, according to Abulfeda.

Achzib: Or, Ecdippa, now Zib, nine miles north, from Accho.

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:21 - Rehob Joshua 19:28 - great Joshua 19:29 - Achzib Joshua 21:31 - Rehob 2 Samuel 10:8 - Rehob 1 Kings 20:26 - Aphek Matthew 15:21 - Tyre

Verse 32

Psalms 106:34, Psalms 106:35

Reciprocal: Judges 1:33 - he dwelt

Verse 33

Naphtali: Joshua 19:32-38

he dwelt: Judges 1:32

became: Judges 1:30, Judges 1:35, Psalms 18:24

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:13 - put the

Verse 34

Judges 18:1, Joshua 19:47

Reciprocal: Joshua 13:4 - the Amorites Judges 2:14 - could not

Verse 35

Aijalon: Judges 12:12, Joshua 10:12

Shaalbim: Joshua 19:42, 1 Kings 4:9

prevailed: Heb. was heavy

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:13 - put the Joshua 19:47 - the coast Judges 1:33 - became 1 Kings 9:21 - levy

Verse 36

from the going: or, Maaleh-akrabbim, Numbers 34:4, Joshua 15:2

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:3 - Maalehacrabbim