mh_parser/vol_split/7 - Judges/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="Jud.ii" n="ii" next="Jud.iii" prev="Jud.i" progress="10.80%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="Jud.ii-p0.1">J U D G E S</h2>
<h3 id="Jud.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jud.ii-p1">This chapter gives us a particular account what
sort of progress the several tribes of Israel made in the reducing
of Canaan after the death of Joshua. He did (as we say) break the
neck of that great work, and put it into such a posture that they
might easily have perfected it in due time, if they had not been
wanting to themselves; what they did in order hereunto, and wherein
they came short, we are told. I. The united tribes of Judah and
Simeon did bravely. 1. God appointed Judah to begin, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.1-Judg.1.2" parsed="|Judg|1|1|1|2" passage="Jdg 1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. 2. Judah took Simeon to
act in conjunction with him, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.3" parsed="|Judg|1|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:3">ver.
3</scripRef>. 3. They succeeded in their enterprises against Bezek
(<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.4-Judg.1.7" parsed="|Judg|1|4|1|7" passage="Jdg 1:4-7">ver. 4-7</scripRef>), Jerusalem,
<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.8" parsed="|Judg|1|8|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:8">ver. 8</scripRef>. Hebron and Debir
(<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.9-Judg.1.15" parsed="|Judg|1|9|1|15" passage="Jdg 1:9-15">ver. 9-15</scripRef>), Hormah,
Gaza, and other places, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.17-Judg.1.19" parsed="|Judg|1|17|1|19" passage="Jdg 1:17-19">ver.
17-19</scripRef>. 4. Yet where there were chariots of iron their
hearts failed them, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.19" parsed="|Judg|1|19|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:19">ver.
19</scripRef>. Mention is made of the Kenites settling among them,
<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.16" parsed="|Judg|1|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:16">ver. 16</scripRef>. II. The other
tribes, in comparison with these, acted a cowardly part. 1.
Benjamin failed, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.21" parsed="|Judg|1|21|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:21">ver. 21</scripRef>.
2. The house of Joseph did well against Beth-el (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.22-Judg.1.26" parsed="|Judg|1|22|1|26" passage="Jdg 1:22-26">ver. 22-26</scripRef>), but in other places did not
improve their advantages, nor Manasseh (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.27-Judg.1.28" parsed="|Judg|1|27|1|28" passage="Jdg 1:27,28">ver. 27, 28</scripRef>), nor Ephraim, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.29" parsed="|Judg|1|29|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:29">ver. 29</scripRef>. 3. Zebulun spared the
Canaanites, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.13" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.30" parsed="|Judg|1|30|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:30">ver. 30</scripRef>. 4.
Asher truckled worse than any of them to the Canaanites, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.14" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.31-Judg.1.32" parsed="|Judg|1|31|1|32" passage="Jdg 1:31,32">ver. 31, 32</scripRef>. 5. Naphtali was kept
out of the full possession of several of his cities, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.15" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.33" parsed="|Judg|1|33|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:33">ver. 33</scripRef>. 6. Dan was straitened by the
Amorites, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p1.16" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.34" parsed="|Judg|1|34|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:34">ver. 34</scripRef>. No
account is given of Issachar, nor of the two tribes and a half on
the other side Jordan.</p>
<scripCom id="Jud.ii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1" parsed="|Judg|1|0|0|0" passage="Jud 1" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jud.ii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.1-Judg.1.8" parsed="|Judg|1|1|1|8" passage="Jud 1:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.1.1-Judg.1.8">
<h4 id="Jud.ii-p1.19">Judah Attacks the Canaanites; The Punishment
of Adoni-bezek. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p1.20">b. c.</span> 1425.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.ii-p2">1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass,
that the children of Israel asked the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p2.1">Lord</span>, saying, Who shall go up for us against the
Canaanites first, to fight against them?   2 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p2.2">Lord</span> said, Judah shall go up: behold, I
have delivered the land into his hand.   3 And Judah said unto
Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight
against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy
lot. So Simeon went with him.   4 And Judah went up; and the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p2.3">Lord</span> delivered the Canaanites and
the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten
thousand men.   5 And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek: and
they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the
Perizzites.   6 But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after
him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
  7 And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having
their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered <i>their
meat</i> under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me.
And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.   8 Now
the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken
it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on
fire.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p3">Here, I. The children of Israel consult the
oracle of God for direction which of all the tribes should first
attempt to clear their country of the Canaanites, and to animate
and encourage the rest. It was <i>after the death of Joshua.</i>
While he lived he directed them, and all the tribes were obedient
to him, but when he died he left no successor in the same authority
that he had; but the people must consult the breast-plate of
judgment, and thence receive the word of command; for God himself,
as he was their King, so he was the Lord of their hosts. The
question they ask is, <i>Who shall go up first?</i> <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.1" parsed="|Judg|1|1|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. By this time, we may
suppose, they were so multiplied that the places they were in
possession of began to be too strait for them, and they must thrust
out the enemy to make room; now they enquire who should first take
up arms. Whether each tribe was ambitious of being first, and so
strove for the honour of it, or whether each was afraid of being
first, and so strove to decline it, does not appear; but by common
consent the matter was referred to God himself, who is the fittest
both to dispose of honours and to cut out work.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p4">II. God appointed that Judah should go up
first, and promised him success (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.2" parsed="|Judg|1|2|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): "<i>I have delivered the land
into his hand,</i> to be possessed, and therefore will deliver the
enemy into his hand, that keeps him out of possession, to be
destroyed." And why must Judah be first in this undertaking? 1.
Judah was the most numerous and powerful tribe, and therefore let
Judah venture first. Note, God appoints service according to the
strength he has given. Those that are most able, from them most
work is expected. 2. Judah was first in dignity, and therefore must
be first in duty. He it is whom <i>his brethren must praise,</i>
and therefore he it is who must lead in perilous services. Let the
burden of honour and the burden of work go together. 3. Judah was
first served; the lot came up for Judah first, and therefore Judah
must first fight. 4. Judah was the tribe out of which our Lord was
to spring: so that in Judah, Christ, the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, went before them. Christ engaged the powers of darkness
first, and foiled them, which animates us for our conflicts; and it
is in him that we are <i>more than conquerors.</i> Observe, The
service and the success are put together: "Judah shall go up; let
him do his part, and then he shall find that <i>I have delivered
the land into his hand.</i>" His service will not avail unless God
give the success; but God will not give the success unless he
vigorously apply himself to the service.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p5">III. Judah hereupon prepares to go up, but
courts his brother and neighbour the tribe of Simeon (the lot of
which tribe fell within that of Judah and was assigned out of it)
to join forces with him, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.3" parsed="|Judg|1|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. Observe here, 1. That the strongest should not
despise but desire the assistance even of those that are weaker.
Judah was the most considerable of all the tribes, and Simeon the
least considerable, and yet Judah begs Simeon's friendship, and
prays an aid from him; the head cannot say to the foot, <i>I have
no need of thee,</i> for we are <i>members one of another.</i> 2.
Those that crave assistance must be ready to give assistance:
<i>Come with me into my lot,</i> and then <i>I will go with thee
into thine.</i> It becomes Israelites to help one another against
Canaanites; and all Christians, even those of different tribes,
should strengthen one another's hands against the common interests
of Satan's kingdom. Those who thus help one another in love have
reason to hope that God will graciously help them both.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p6">IV. The confederate forces of Judah and
Simeon take the field: <i>Judah went up</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.4" parsed="|Judg|1|4|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), and Simeon with him, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.3" parsed="|Judg|1|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Caleb, it is probable,
was commander-in-chief of this expedition; for who so fit as he who
had both an old man's head and a young man's hand, the experience
of age and the vigour of youth? <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14.10-Josh.14.11" parsed="|Josh|14|10|14|11" passage="Jos 14:10,11">Josh. xiv. 10, 11</scripRef>. It should seem too, by
what follows (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.10-Judg.1.11" parsed="|Judg|1|10|1|11" passage="Jdg 1:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10,
11</scripRef>), that he was not yet in possession of his own
allotment. It was happy for them that they had such a general as,
according to his name, was all heart. Some think that the
Canaanites had got together into a body, a formidable body, when
Israel consulted who should go and <i>fight against them,</i> and
that they then began to stir when they heard of the death of
Joshua, whose name had been so dreadful to them; but, if so, it
proved they did but meddle to their own hurt.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p7">V. God gave them great success. Whether
they invaded the enemy, or the enemy first gave them the alarm,
<i>the Lord delivered them into their hand,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.4" parsed="|Judg|1|4|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Though the army of Judah was
strong and bold, yet the victory is attributed to God: he
<i>delivered the Canaanites into their hand;</i> having given them
authority, he here gives them ability to destroy them—put it in
their power, and so tried their obedience to his command, which was
<i>utterly to cut them off.</i> Bishop Patrick observes upon this
that we meet not with such religious expressions in the heathen
writers, concerning the success of their arms, as we have here and
elsewhere in this sacred history. I wish such pious acknowledgments
of the divine providence had not grown into disuse at this time
with many that are called Christians. Now, 1. We are told how the
army of the Canaanites was routed in the field, in or near Bezek,
the place where they drew up, which afterwards Saul made the place
of a general rendezvous (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.11.8" parsed="|1Sam|11|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 11:8">1 Sam. xi.
8</scripRef>); they slew 10,000 men, which blow, if followed, could
not but be a very great weakening to those that were already
brought so very low. 2. How their king was taken and mortified. His
name was Adoni-bezek, which signifies, <i>lord of Bezek.</i> There
have been those that called their lands by <i>their own names</i>
(<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.49.11" parsed="|Ps|49|11|0|0" passage="Ps 49:11">Ps. xlix. 11</scripRef>), but here
was one (and there has been many another) that called himself by
his land's name. He was taken prisoner after the battle, and we are
here told how they used him; they cut off his thumbs, to disfit him
for fighting, and his great toes, that he might not be able to run
away, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.6" parsed="|Judg|1|6|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. It had
been barbarous thus to triumph over a man in misery, and that lay
at their mercy, but that he was a devoted Canaanite, and one that
had in like manner abused others, which probably they had heard of.
Josephus says, "They cut off his hands and his feet," probably
supposing those more likely to be mortal wounds than only the
cutting off of his thumbs and his great toes. But this indignity
which they did him extorted from him an acknowledgment of the
righteousness of God, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.7" parsed="|Judg|1|7|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. Here observe, (1.) What a great man this Adoni-bezek
had been, how great in the field, where armies fled before him, how
great at home, where kings were <i>set with the dogs of his
flock;</i> and yet now himself a prisoner, and reduced to the
extremity of meanness and disgrace. See how changeable this world
is, and how slippery its high places are. Let not the highest be
proud, nor the strongest secure, for they know not how low they may
be brought before they die. (2.) What desolations he had made among
his neighbours: he had wholly subdued seventy kings, to such a
degree as to have them his prisoners; he that was the chief person
in a city was then called a <i>king,</i> and the greatness of their
title did but aggravate their disgrace, and fired the pride of him
that insulted over them. We cannot suppose that Adoni-bezek had
seventy of these petty princes at once his slaves; but first and
last, in the course of his reign, he had thus deposed and abused so
many, who perhaps were many of them kings of the same cities that
successively opposed him, and whom he thus treated to please his
own imperious barbarous fancy, and for a terror to others. It seems
the Canaanites had been wasted by civil wars, and those bloody
ones, among themselves, which would very much facilitate the
conquest of them by Israel. "Judah," says Dr. Lightfoot, "in
conquering Adoni-bezek, did, in effect, conquer seventy kings."
(3.) How justly he was treated as he had treated others. Thus the
righteous God sometimes, in his providence, makes the punishment to
answer the sin, and observes an equality in his judgments; the
spoiler shall be spoiled, and the <i>treacherous dealer dealt
treacherously</i> with, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.33.1" parsed="|Isa|33|1|0|0" passage="Isa 33:1">Isa. xxxiii.
1</scripRef>. And those that <i>showed no mercy</i> shall have
<i>no mercy shown</i> them, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.13" parsed="|Jas|2|13|0|0" passage="Jam 2:13">Jam. ii.
13</scripRef>. See <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Rev.13.10 Bible:Rev.18.6" parsed="|Rev|13|10|0|0;|Rev|18|6|0|0" passage="Re 13:10,18:6">Rev. xiii. 10;
xviii. 6</scripRef>. (4.) How honestly he owned the righteousness
of God herein: <i>As I have done, so God has requited me.</i> See
the power of conscience, when God by his judgments awakens it, how
it brings sin to remembrance, and subscribes to the justice of God.
He that in his pride had set God at defiance now yields to him, and
reflects with as much regret upon the kings under his table as ever
he had looked upon them with pleasure when he had them there. He
seems to own that he was better dealt with than he had dealt with
his prisoners; for though the Israelites maimed him (according to
the law of retaliation, an <i>eye for an eye,</i> so a thumb for a
thumb), yet they did not put him <i>under the table</i> to be fed
with the crumbs there, because, though the other might well be
looked upon as an act of justice, this would have savoured more of
pride and haughtiness than did become an Israelite.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p8">VI. Particular notice is taken of the
conquest of Jerusalem, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.8" parsed="|Judg|1|8|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. Our translators judge it spoken of here as done
formerly in Joshua's time, and only repeated on occasion of
Adoni-bezek's dying there, and therefore read it, "they had fought
against Jerusalem," and put this verse in a parenthesis; but the
original speaks of it as a thing now done, and this seems most
probable because it is said to be done by the children of Judah in
particular, not by all Israel in general, whom Joshua commanded.
Joshua indeed conquered and slew Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem
(<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.10.1-Josh.10.43" parsed="|Josh|10|1|10|43" passage="Jos 10:1-43">Josh. x.</scripRef>), but we read
not there of his taking the city; probably, while he was pursing
his conquests elsewhere, this Adoni-bezek, a neighbouring prince,
got possession of it, whom Israel having conquered in the field,
the city fell into their hands, and they slew the inhabitants,
except those who retreated into the castle and held out there till
David's time, and they <i>set the city on fire,</i> in token of
their detestation of the idolatry wherewith it had been deeply
infected, yet probably not so utterly as to consume it, but to
leave convenient habitations for as many as they had to put into
the possession of it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.ii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.9-Judg.1.20" parsed="|Judg|1|9|1|20" passage="Jud 1:9-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.1.9-Judg.1.20">
<h4 id="Jud.ii-p8.4">Conquests of Judah. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p8.5">b. c.</span> 1425.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.ii-p9">9 And afterward the children of Judah went down
to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in
the south, and in the valley.   10 And Judah went against the
Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before
<i>was</i> Kirjath-arba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and
Talmai.   11 And from thence he went against the inhabitants
of Debir: and the name of Debir before <i>was</i> Kirjath-sepher:
  12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and
taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.   13
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and
he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.   14 And it came to
pass, when she came <i>to him,</i> that she moved him to ask of her
father a field: and she lighted from off <i>her</i> ass; and Caleb
said unto her, What wilt thou?   15 And she said unto him,
Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me
also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the
nether springs.   16 And the children of the Kenite, Moses'
father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the
children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which <i>lieth</i>
in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
  17 And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the
Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And
the name of the city was called Hormah.   18 Also Judah took
Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof,
and Ekron with the coast thereof.   19 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p9.1">Lord</span> was with Judah; and he drave out <i>the
inhabitants of</i> the mountain; but could not drive out the
inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
  20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he
expelled thence the three sons of Anak.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p10">We have here a further account of that
glorious and successful campaign which Judah and Simeon made. 1.
The lot of Judah was pretty well cleared of the Canaanites, yet not
thoroughly. Those that <i>dwelt in the mountain</i> (the mountains
that were round about Jerusalem) were driven out (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.9 Bible:Judg.1.19" parsed="|Judg|1|9|0|0;|Judg|1|19|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:9,19"><i>v.</i> 9, 19</scripRef>), but those in the
valley kept their ground against them, having <i>chariots of
iron,</i> such as we read of, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.17.16" parsed="|Josh|17|16|0|0" passage="Jos 17:16">Josh.
xvii. 16</scripRef>. Here the men of Judah failed, and thereby
spoiled the influence which otherwise their example hitherto might
have had on the rest of the tribes, who followed them in this
instance of their cowardice, rather than in all the other instances
of their courage. They had iron chariots, and therefore it was
thought not safe to attack them: but had not Israel God on their
side, <i>whose chariots are thousands of angels</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.68.17" parsed="|Ps|68|17|0|0" passage="Ps 68:17">Ps. lxviii. 17</scripRef>), before whom these
iron chariots would be but as stubble to the fire? Had not God
expressly promised by the oracle (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.2" parsed="|Judg|1|2|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) to give them success against the
Canaanites in this very expedition, without excepting those that
had iron chariots? Yet they suffered their fears to prevail against
their faith, they could not trust God under any disadvantages, and
therefore durst not face the iron chariots, but meanly withdrew
their forces, when with one bold stroke they might have completed
their victories; and it proved of pernicious consequence. They did
run well, what hindered them? <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Gal.5.7" parsed="|Gal|5|7|0|0" passage="Ga 5:7">Gal. v.
7</scripRef>. 2. Caleb was put in possession of Hebron, which,
though given him by Joshua ten or twelve years before (as Dr.
Lightfoot computes), yet being employed in public service, for the
settling of the tribes, which he preferred before his own private
interests, it seems he did not till now make himself master of; so
well content was that good man to serve others, while he left
himself to be served last; few are like-minded, for <i>all seek
their own,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.20-Phil.2.21" parsed="|Phil|2|20|2|21" passage="Php 2:20,21">Phil. ii. 20,
21</scripRef>. Yet now the men of Judah all came in to his
assistance for the reducing of Hebron (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.10" parsed="|Judg|1|10|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), slew the sons of Anak, and put
him in possession of it, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.20" parsed="|Judg|1|20|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>. They gave Hebron unto Caleb. And now Caleb, that he
might return the kindness of his countrymen, is impatient to see
Debir reduced and put into the hands of the men of Judah, to
expedite which he proffers his daughter to the person that will
undertake to command in the siege of that important place,
<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.11-Judg.1.12" parsed="|Judg|1|11|1|12" passage="Jdg 1:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>.
Othniel bravely undertakes it, and wins the town and the lady
(<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.13" parsed="|Judg|1|13|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), and by his
wife's interest and management with her father gains a very good
inheritance for himself and his family, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.14-Judg.1.15" parsed="|Judg|1|14|1|15" passage="Jdg 1:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. We had this passage
before, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.12" osisRef="Bible:Josh.15.16-Josh.15.19" parsed="|Josh|15|16|15|19" passage="Jos 15:16-19">Josh. xv.
16-19</scripRef>, where it was largely explained and improved. 3.
Simeon got ground of the Canaanites in his border, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.13" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.17-Judg.1.18" parsed="|Judg|1|17|1|18" passage="Jdg 1:17,18"><i>v.</i> 17, 18</scripRef>. In the eastern
part of Simeon's lot, they destroyed the Canaanites in Zephath, and
called it <i>Hormah—destruction,</i> adding this to some other
devoted cities not far off, which they had some time ago, with good
reason, called by that name, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.14" osisRef="Bible:Num.21.2-Num.21.3" parsed="|Num|21|2|21|3" passage="Nu 21:2,3">Num.
xxi. 2, 3</scripRef>. And this perhaps was the complete performance
of the vow they them made that they would utterly destroy these
cities of the Canaanites in the south. In the western part they
took Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron, cities of the Philistines; they
gained present possession of the cities, but, not destroying the
inhabitants, the Philistines in process of time recovered the
cities, and proved inveterate enemies to the Israel of God, and no
better could come of doing their work by the halves. 4. The Kenites
gained a settlement in the tribe of Judah, choosing it there rather
than in any other tribe, because it was the strongest, and there
they hoped to be safe and quiet, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.15" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.16" parsed="|Judg|1|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. These were the posterity of
Jethro, who either went with Israel when Moses invited them
(<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.16" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.29" parsed="|Num|10|29|0|0" passage="Nu 10:29">Num. x. 29</scripRef>) or met them
about the same place when they came up from their wanderings in the
wilderness thirty-eight years after, and went with them then to
Canaan, Moses having promised them that they should fare as Israel
fared, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.17" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.32" parsed="|Num|10|32|0|0" passage="Nu 10:32">Num. x. 32</scripRef>. They had
at first seated themselves in the <i>city of palm-trees,</i> that
is, Jericho, a city which never was to be rebuilt, and therefore
the fitter for those who <i>dwelt in tents,</i> and did not mind
building. But afterwards they removed into the wilderness of Judah,
either out of their affection to that place, because solitary and
retired, or out of their affection to that tribe, which perhaps had
been in a particular manner kind to them. Yet we find the tent of
Jael, who was of that family, far north, in the lot of Naphtali,
when Sisera took shelter there, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p10.18" osisRef="Bible:Judg.4.17" parsed="|Judg|4|17|0|0" passage="Jdg 4:17"><i>ch.</i> iv. 17</scripRef>. This respect Israel showed
them, to let them fix where they pleased, being a quiet people,
who, wherever they were, were content with a little. Those that
molested none were molested by none. <i>Blessed are the meek,
for</i> thus <i>they shall inherit the earth.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.ii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.21-Judg.1.36" parsed="|Judg|1|21|1|36" passage="Jud 1:21-36" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.1.21-Judg.1.36">
<h4 id="Jud.ii-p10.20">The Israelites Mixed with the
Canaanites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p10.21">b. c.</span> 1425.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.ii-p11">21 And the children of Benjamin did not drive
out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell
with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.   22
And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.ii-p11.1">Lord</span> <i>was</i> with them.   23
And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the
city before <i>was</i> Luz.)   24 And the spies saw a man come
forth out of the city, and they said unto him, show us, we pray
thee, the entrance into the city, and we will show thee mercy.
  25 And when he showed them the entrance into the city, they
smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man
and all his family.   26 And the man went into the land of the
Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which
<i>is</i> the name thereof unto this day.   27 Neither did
Manasseh drive out <i>the inhabitants of</i> Beth-shean and her
towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and
her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the
inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would
dwell in that land.   28 And it came to pass, when Israel was
strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not
utterly drive them out.   29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the
Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer
among them.   30 Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants
of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt
among them, and became tributaries.   31 Neither did Asher
drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon,
nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of
Rehob:   32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the
inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.   33
Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor
the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites,
the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of
Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became tributaries unto them.  
34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain:
for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:  
35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in
Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that
they became tributaries.   36 And the coast of the Amorites
<i>was</i> from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and
upward.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p12">We are here told upon what terms the rest
of the tribes stood with the Canaanites that remained.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p13">I. Benjamin neglected to drive the
Jebusites out of that part of the city of Jerusalem which fell to
their lot, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.21" parsed="|Judg|1|21|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>.
Judah had set them a good example, and gained them great advantages
by what they did (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.9" parsed="|Judg|1|9|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>), but they did not follow the blow for want of
resolution.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p14">II. The house of Joseph,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p15">1. Bestirred themselves a little to get
possession of Beth-el, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.22" parsed="|Judg|1|22|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. That city is mentioned in the tribe of Benjamin,
<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.18.22" parsed="|Josh|18|22|0|0" passage="Jos 18:22">Josh. xviii. 22</scripRef>. Yet it is
spoken of there (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.13" parsed="|Judg|1|13|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>) as a city in the borders of that tribe, and, it
should seem, the line went through it, so that one half of it only
belonged to Benjamin, the other half to Ephraim; and perhaps the
activity of the Ephraimites at this time, to recover it from the
Canaanites, secured it entirely to them henceforward, or at least
the greatest part of it, for afterwards we find it so much under
the power of the ten tribes (and Benjamin was none of them) that
Jeroboam set up one of his calves in it. In this account of the
expedition of the Ephraimites against Beth-el observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p16">(1.) Their interest in the divine favour:
<i>The Lord was with them,</i> and would have been with the other
tribes if they would have exerted their strength. The Chaldee reads
it here, as in many other places, <i>The Word of the Lord was their
helper,</i> namely, Christ himself, the captain of the Lord's host,
now that they acted separately, as well as when they were all in
one body.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p17">(2.) The prudent measures they took to gain
the city. They sent spies to observe what part of the city was
weakest, or which way they might make their attack with most
advantage, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.23" parsed="|Judg|1|23|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>.
These spies got very good information from a man they
providentially met with, who showed them a private way into the
town, which was left unguarded because, being not generally known,
no danger was suspected on that side. And here, [1.] He is not to
be blamed for giving them this intelligence if he did it from a
conviction that <i>the Lord was with them,</i> and that by his
donation the land was theirs of right, any more than Rahab was for
entertaining those whom she knew to be enemies of her country, but
friends of God. Nor, [2.] Are those to be blamed who <i>showed him
mercy,</i> gave him and his family not only their lives, but
liberty to go wherever they pleased: for one good turn requires
another. But, it seems, he would not join himself to the people of
Israel, he feared them rather than loved them, and therefore he
removed after a colony of the Hittites, which, it should seem, had
gone into Arabia and settled there upon Joshua's invasion of the
country; with them this man chose to dwell, and among them he built
a city, a small one, we may suppose, such as planters commonly
build, and in the name of it preserved the ancient name of his
native city, <i>Luz, an almond-tree,</i> preferring this before its
new name, which carried religion in it, <i>Bethel</i>—<i>the house
of God.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p18">(3.) Their success. The spies brought or
sent notice of the intelligence they had gained to the army, which
improved their advantages, surprised the city, and put them all to
the sword, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.25" parsed="|Judg|1|25|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>.
But,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p19">2. Besides this achievement, it seems, the
children of Joseph did nothing remarkable (1.) Manasseh failed to
drive out the Canaanites from several very considerable cities in
their lot, and did not make any attempt upon them, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.27" parsed="|Judg|1|27|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. But the Canaanites,
being in possession, were resolved not to quit it; they would dwell
in that land, and Manasseh had not resolution enough to offer to
dispossess them; as if there was no meddling with them unless they
were willing to resign, which it was not to be expected they ever
would be. Only as Israel got strength they got ground, and served
themselves, both by their contributions and by their personal
services, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.28 Bible:Judg.1.35" parsed="|Judg|1|28|0|0;|Judg|1|35|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:28,35"><i>v.</i> 28,
35</scripRef>. (2.) Ephraim likewise, though a powerful tribe,
neglected Gezer a considerable city, and suffered the Canaanites to
<i>dwell among them</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.29" parsed="|Judg|1|29|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>), which, some think, intimates their allowing them a
quiet settlement, and indulging them with the privileges of an
unconquered people, not so much as making them tributaries.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p20">III. Zebulun, perhaps inclining to the
sea-trade, for it was foretold that it should be a haven for ships,
neglected to reduce Kitron and Nahalol (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.30" parsed="|Judg|1|30|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), and only made the inhabitants
of those places tributaries to them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p21">IV. Asher quitted itself worse than any of
the tribes (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.31-Judg.1.32" parsed="|Judg|1|31|1|32" passage="Jdg 1:31,32"><i>v.</i> 31,
32</scripRef>), not only in leaving more towns than any of them in
the hands of the Canaanites, but in submitting to the Canaanites
instead of making them tributaries; for so the manner of expression
intimates, that the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, as if the
Canaanites were the more numerous and the more powerful, would
still be lords of the country, and the Israelites must be only upon
sufferance among them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p22">V. Naphtali also permitted the Canaanites
to live among them (<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.33" parsed="|Judg|1|33|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:33"><i>v.</i>
33</scripRef>), only by degrees they got them so far under as to
exact contributions from them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p23">VI. Dan was so far from extending his
conquests where his lot lay that, wanting spirit to make head
against the Amorites, he was forced by them to retire into the
mountains and inhabit the cities there, but durst not venture into
the valley, where, it is probable, the chariots of iron were,
<scripRef id="Jud.ii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.34" parsed="|Judg|1|34|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. Nay, and some
of the cities in the mountains were kept against them, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.35" parsed="|Judg|1|35|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. Thus were they
straitened in their possessions, and forced to seek for more room
at Laish, a great way off, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.18.1-Judg.18.31" parsed="|Judg|18|1|18|31" passage="Jdg 18:1-31"><i>ch.</i> xviii. 1</scripRef>, &amp;c. In Jacob's
blessing Judah is compared to a lion, Dan to a serpent; now observe
how Judah with his lion-like courage prospered and prevailed, but
Dan with all his serpenting subtlety could get no ground; craft and
artful management do not always effect the wonders they pretend to.
What Dan came short of doing, it seems, his neighbours the
Ephraimites in part did for him; they put the Amorites under
tribute, <scripRef id="Jud.ii-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.35" parsed="|Judg|1|35|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.ii-p24">Upon the whole matter it appears that the
people of Israel were generally very careless both of their duty
and interest in this thing; they did not what they might have done
to expel the Canaanites and make room for themselves. And, 1. It
was owing to their slothfulness and cowardice. They would not be at
the pains to complete their conquests; like the sluggard, that
dreamed of a lion in the way, a lion in the streets, they fancied
insuperable difficulties, and frightened themselves with winds and
clouds from sowing and reaping. 2. It was owing to their
covetousness; the Canaanites' labour and money would do them more
good (they thought) than their blood, and therefore they were
willing to let them live among them, that they might make a hand of
them. 3. They had not that dread and detestation of idolatry which
they ought to have had; they thought it a pity to put these
Canaanites to the sword, though the measure of their iniquity was
full, thought it would be no harm to let them live among them, and
that they should be in no danger from them. 4. The same thing that
kept their fathers forty years out of Canaan kept them now out of
the full possession of it, and that was unbelief. Distrust of the
power and promise of God lost them their advantages, and ran them
into a thousand mischiefs.</p>
</div></div2>