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?" After the death of JoshuaThis phrase marks a significant transition in the history of Israel. Joshua, the faithful leader who succeeded Moses, had led the Israelites into the Promised Land. His death signifies the end of an era of direct leadership under a divinely appointed leader. The Hebrew word for "death" (מוֹת, "moth") here emphasizes the finality and the need for Israel to seek new guidance. Historically, this period is marked by a shift from centralized leadership to a more tribal confederation, setting the stage for the events in the Book of Judges. the Israelites asked the LORD
The Israelites' inquiry to the LORD reflects their dependence on divine guidance. The Hebrew verb "asked" (שָׁאַל, "sha'al") indicates a seeking or inquiring, often used in the context of seeking divine will. This demonstrates the Israelites' recognition of their need for God's direction in the absence of Joshua. It also highlights the theocratic nature of Israel's society, where God was seen as the ultimate leader and authority. Who will be the first to go up
This question reveals the Israelites' concern for leadership and initiative in the face of their enemies. The phrase "go up" (עָלָה, "alah") is often used in military contexts, indicating a movement towards battle or conquest. It underscores the need for a leader to take the initiative in fulfilling God's command to possess the land. This reflects the ongoing struggle and the need for faith and courage among the tribes of Israel. and fight for us
The word "fight" (לָחַם, "lacham") is a call to engage in battle, emphasizing the reality of the conflict that the Israelites faced. This phrase highlights the communal aspect of Israel's warfare; it was not just an individual or tribal endeavor but a collective responsibility. The Israelites understood that their battles were not merely physical but spiritual, requiring reliance on God's strength and promises. against the Canaanites
The Canaanites were the inhabitants of the land that God had promised to Israel. This phrase sets the stage for the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Canaanite nations. Historically and archaeologically, the Canaanites were known for their fortified cities and advanced culture, presenting a formidable challenge to the Israelites. Theologically, the Canaanites represented the pagan practices and idolatry that Israel was to overcome, symbolizing the spiritual battles that believers face in remaining faithful to God amidst worldly influences. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. His death marks a transition in leadership and a new phase for the Israelites. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are now tasked with continuing the conquest of Canaan. 3. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who guides and directs His people. The Israelites seek His guidance for their next steps. 4. The CanaanitesThe inhabitants of the land of Canaan, whom the Israelites are commanded to drive out as they take possession of the land promised to them by God. 5. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, a central focus of Israel's journey and conquest. Teaching Points Seeking Divine GuidanceThe Israelites' inquiry of the LORD demonstrates the importance of seeking God's direction in our decisions and actions. We should prioritize prayer and discernment in our lives. Leadership TransitionThe death of Joshua signifies a change in leadership, reminding us of the need for continuity in faith and obedience, regardless of who leads. Obedience to God's CommandsThe task of driving out the Canaanites underscores the necessity of complete obedience to God's instructions, even when they are challenging. Faith in God's PromisesThe Israelites' situation calls us to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill what He has spoken. Community ResponsibilityThe collective inquiry of the Israelites highlights the importance of community in seeking God's will and working together to accomplish His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Israelites' approach to seeking God's guidance in Judges 1:1 serve as a model for our decision-making processes today? 2. In what ways can we ensure continuity of faith and obedience during transitions in leadership within our communities or churches? 3. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenging task that required complete obedience to God. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? 4. How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's promises, especially when facing uncertainties or difficulties? 5. What role does community play in discerning and following God's will, and how can we foster a stronger sense of collective responsibility in our faith communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 24This chapter provides the context of Joshua's leadership and his final exhortations to the Israelites, emphasizing the need for faithfulness to God. Exodus 23:20-33God's promise to send an angel before the Israelites to bring them into the land of the Canaanites, highlighting the divine assistance promised to them. Deuteronomy 7:1-2Instructions given to Israel regarding the conquest of Canaan, including the command to utterly destroy the Canaanite nations. Judges 2:1-5The consequences of Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to drive out the Canaanites, leading to future challenges and idolatry. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Canaanite, Canaanites, Commencement, Death, Fight, Inquired, Israelites, Joshua, Pass, Request, Saying, Sons, WarDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:1 5608 warfare, strategies Judges 1:1-2 8605 prayer, and God's will
8610 prayer, asking God Judges 1:1-20 7266 tribes of Israel Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:1 NIVJudges 1:1 NLTJudges 1:1 ESVJudges 1:1 NASBJudges 1:1 KJV
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