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Judges 1

Judges 1:1

Now after the death of Joshua, the children of Israel made request to the Lord, saying, Who is to go up first to make war for us against the Canaanites?

Judges 1:2

And the Lord said, Judah is to go up: see, I have given the land into his hands.

Judges 1:3

Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my heritage, so that we may make war against the Canaanites; and I will then go with you into your heritage. So Simeon went with him.

Judges 1:4

And Judah went up; and the Lord gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands; and they overcame ten thousand of them in Bezek.

Judges 1:5

And they came across Adoni-zedek, and made war on him; and they overcame the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

Judges 1:6

But Adoni-zedek went in flight; and they went after him and overtook him, and had his thumbs and his great toes cut off.

Judges 1:7

And Adoni-zedek said, Seventy kings, whose thumbs and great toes had been cut off, got broken meat under my table: as I have done, so has God done to me in full. And they took him to Jerusalem, and he came to his end there.

Judges 1:8

Then the children of Judah made an attack on Jerusalem, and took it, burning down the town after they had put its people to the sword without mercy.

Judges 1:9

After that the children of Judah went down to make war on the Canaanites living in the hill-country and in the south and in the lowlands.

Judges 1:10

And Caleb went against the Canaanites of Hebron: (now in earlier times Hebron was named Kiriath-arba:) and he put Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai to the sword.

Judges 1:11

And from there he went up against the people of Debir. (Now the name of Debir in earlier times was Kiriath-sepher.)

Judges 1:12

And Caleb said, I will give Achsah, my daughter, as wife to the man who overcomes Kiriath-sepher and takes it.

Judges 1:13

And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it; so he gave him his daughter Achsah for his wife.

Judges 1:14

Now when she came to him, he put into her mind the idea of requesting a field from her father: and she got down from her ass; and Caleb said to her, What is it?

Judges 1:15

And she said to him, Give me a blessing; because you have put me in a dry south-land, now give me springs of water. So Caleb gave her the higher spring and the lower spring.

Judges 1:16

Now Hobab the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, had come up out of the town of palm-trees, with the children of Judah, into the waste land of Arad; and he went and was living among the Amalekites;

Judges 1:17

And Judah went with Simeon, his brother, and overcame the Canaanites living in Zephath, and put it under the curse; and he gave the town the name of Hormah.

Judges 1:18

Then Judah took Gaza and its limit, and Ashkelon and its limit, and Ekron and its limit.

Judges 1:19

And the Lord was with Judah; and he took the hill-country for his heritage; but he was unable to make the people of the valley go out, for they had war-carriages of iron.

Judges 1:20

And they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had said; and he took the land of the three sons of Anak, driving them out from there.

Judges 1:21

And the children of Judah did not make the Jebusites who were living in Jerusalem go out; the Jebusites are still living with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem.

Judges 1:22

And the family of Joseph went up against Beth-el, and the Lord was with them.

Judges 1:23

So they sent men to make a search round Beth-el. (Now the name of the town in earlier times was Luz.)

Judges 1:24

And the watchers saw a man coming out of the town, and said to him, If you will make clear to us the way into the town, we will be kind to you.

Judges 1:25

So he made clear to them the way into the town, and they put it to the sword; but they let the man and all his family get away safe.

Judges 1:26

And he went into the land of the Hittites, building a town there and naming it Luz: which is its name to this day.

Judges 1:27

And Manasseh did not take away the land of the people of Beth-shean and its daughter-towns, or of Taanach and its daughter-towns, or of the people of Dor and its daughter-towns, or of the people of Ibleam and its daughter-towns, or of the people of Megiddo and its daughter-towns, driving them out; but the Canaanites would go on living in that land.

Judges 1:28

And whenever Israel became strong, they put the Canaanites to forced work, without driving them out completely.

Judges 1:29

And Ephraim did not make the Canaanites who were living in Gezer go out; but the Canaanites went on living in Gezer among them.

Judges 1:30

Zebulun did not make the people of Kitron or the people of Nahalol go out; but the Canaanites went on living among them and were put to forced work.

Judges 1:31

And Asher did not take the land of the people of Acco, or Zidon, or Ahlab, or Achzib, or Helbah, or Aphik, or Rehob, driving them out;

Judges 1:32

But the Asherites went on living among the Canaanites, the people of the land, without driving them out.

Judges 1:33

Naphtali did not take the land of the people of Beth-shemesh or of Beth-anath, driving them out; but he was living among the Canaanites in the land; however, the people of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath were put to forced work.

Judges 1:34

And the children of Dan were forced into the hill-country by the Amorites, who would not let them come down into the valley;

Judges 1:35

For the Amorites would go on living in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim; but the children of Joseph became stronger than they, and put them to forced work.

Judges 1:36

And the limit of the Edomites went from the slope of Akrabbim from Sela and up.

Detailed Analysis of Judges Chapter 1

Introduction

The Book of Judges is a crucial text in the Hebrew Bible, providing insight into the tumultuous period of Israel's history between the death of Joshua and the establishment of monarchy. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the themes, characters, and conflicts that will unfold throughout the book. In this analysis, we will delve into the key events, characters, and theological implications presented in this foundational chapter.

Overview of Chapter 1

Judges Chapter 1 opens with the Israelites seeking divine guidance on how to proceed after the death of Joshua. The chapter highlights the initial conquests of the Israelites as they aim to take possession of the land of Canaan, and it underscores their military efforts, tribal alliances, and the challenges they face in fully occupying the territory promised to them by God.

Key Themes

1. Seeking Divine Guidance

The chapter begins with the Israelites asking, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites?” This quest for leadership illustrates the importance of divine direction in Israel's conquests. It signifies a shift from Joshua's leadership to a more decentralized approach, where the tribes must rely on God's guidance to engage in battles against their adversaries.

2. Tribal Alliances and Leadership

The response from the tribe of Judah, “The Lord has given the Canaanites into our hand,” emphasizes the tribe’s role as a leader in the initial campaign. This sets a precedent for the collaborative efforts among the tribes of Israel and highlights the significance of unity in facing common enemies. Judah's military successes in the chapter also reflect the potential for tribal strength when anchored in faith.

3. The Challenges of Conquest

While Judah and Simeon achieve notable victories, such as the defeat of Adoni-Bezek, the narrative does not shy away from the challenges faced. The text details specific enemies, including the Canaanites and Perizzites, and documents the incomplete conquests that leave many regions still occupied. This serves as a foreshadowing of future struggles and demonstrates Israel's ongoing battle with idolatry and foreign influences.

4. The Consequences of Incomplete Obedience

The chapter starkly illustrates the consequences stemming from the incomplete obedience of Israel. The failure to drive out all of the inhabitants of the land reveals a persistent theme of compromise. This partial obedience leads to ongoing strife and moral corruption within the nation, setting the stage for the cycles of sin and redemption that characterize the book as a whole.

Significant Characters

  • Judah: Representing strength and leadership, Judah emerges as a key player in the initial conquests, demonstrating faith in God's promises. The triumphs of Judah underline the significance of trust in divine assistance.
  • Simeon: Partnering with Judah, Simeon's actions illustrate the importance of tribal alliances. His commitment enhances the collective efforts of the Israelites in securing the land.
  • Adoni-Bezek: This enemy leader is portrayed as a powerful figure who faces defeat, showcasing the repercussions of hubris and the justice meted out by the Israelites.

Theological Insights

The events of Judges Chapter 1 highlight the relationship between faith and obedience. The emphasis on seeking divine guidance serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for success. Additionally, the ongoing challenges and failures signal the consequences of straying from divine commandments, pointing towards a deeper understanding of sin and its ramifications in the lives of the Israelites.

Conclusion

Chapter 1 of Judges sets a critical stage for the themes of leadership, divine guidance, and the consequences of incomplete obedience within the context of Israel's history. As we journey through the Book of Judges, the threads woven in this chapter provide essential insight into the ongoing struggles and resilience of the Israelite tribes. Understanding these initial events and themes is vital for grasping the complexities of the narratives that follow and their enduring relevance today.


By exploring the intricacies of Judges Chapter 1, readers can appreciate the foundational issues that shaped early Israelite society and theological reflection, offering lessons that resonate throughout generations.