Judges 1:20 NIV

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 1:1-36

Judges 1:1 'Clarkson, in so far as that question regarded time, was the inaugurator of the great conflict' against the slave-trade, as De Quincey observes. 'That was his just claim. He broke the ground, and formed the earliest camp, in that field; and to men that should succeed, he left no possibility of ranking higher than his followers or imitators.' The exploit in which no one will consent to go first remains unachieved. You wait until there are persons enough agreeing with you to form an... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 1:12-26

THE WAY OF THE SWORDJudges 1:12-26THE name Kiriath-sepher, that is Book-Town, has been supposed to point to the existence of a semi-popular literature among the pre-Judaean inhabitants of Canaan. We cannot build with any certainty upon a name; but there are other facts of some significance. Already the Phoenicians, the merchants of the age, some of whom no doubt visited Kiriath-sepher on their way to Arabia or settled in it, had in their dealings with Egypt begun to use that alphabet to which... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Judges 1:1-36

Analysis and Annotations I. THE INTRODUCTION: ISRAEL’S FAILURE AND THE RESULTS 1. Israel’s Failure in mingling with the Canaanites CHAPTER 1 1. The question and the answer (Judges 1:1-4 ) 2. Adoni-Bezek (Judges 1:5-7 ) 3. Jerusalem (Judges 1:8 ) 4. Judah’s victory and failure (Judges 1:9-20 ) 5. The children of Benjamin and their failure (Judges 1:21 ) 6. The failures of others (Judges 1:22-36 ) The book begins with an inquiry of the Lord. This was immediately after the death of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:1-36

INITIAL VICTORIES, YET IMPAIRED (vv. 1-26) Joshua having died, Israel does not subside into indifference, but realizes that there is territory that should be possessed. They therefore appeal to the Lord as to who should carry the attack against the Canaanites (v. 1). The answer is "Judah shall go up," and the decisive promise of God is given that He has delivered the Canaanites into Judah's hand (v. 2). Judah means "praise," and the spirit of praise to God is surely that which rightly leads... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Judges 1:1-36

JOSHUA TO SHAMGAR JUDAH’S INCOMPLETE VICTORY (Judges 1:1-20 ) After the death of Joshua the question of which tribe should lead in the subsequent campaign was answered by the Lord in the choice of Judah (Judges 1:1-2 ) which was in accordance with the divine prophecy through Jacob (Genesis 49:8 ). Doubtless the inquiry was made by Urim and Thummim on the breastplate of the high priest, to which reference was made in Exodus. Judah invites the cooperation of Simeon because the territory of... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Judges 1:1-26

Adoni-bezek Jdg 1:7 THESE words were uttered by Adoni-bezek (king or Bezek). He had conquered seven of the little kingdoms in and around Palestine, and he showed their kings the rough hospitality of cutting off their thumbs and their great toes, and of allowing them to gather their meat under his table. In due time, however, Judah, who succeeded Joshua in the leadership, went up to do the Lord's work and took with him Simeon that they might fight against the Canaanites. In Bezek they slew ten... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Judges 1:20

Though Joshua, we are told, had given this place to Caleb before, yet the possession of it was probably only now. See Joshua 14:13-14 . And were not the victories of Jesus the same? Though Jehovah had given him the heathen for his inheritance, as well as to raise up the tribes of Jacob; yet Jesus had to conquer both before that he took possession of either. But under the sure prospect Christ considers them as already obtained. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. All mine, (Christ said to the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Judges 1:20

Enac, mentioned [in] ver. 10. Septuagint add, that "he took the three cities....and destroyed, " &c. See Josue xv. 14. (Haydock) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:9-20

9-20 The Canaanites had iron chariots; but Israel had God on their side, whose chariots are thousands of angels, Psalms 68:17. Yet they suffered their fears to prevail against their faith. About Caleb we read in Joshua 15:16-19. The Kenites had settled in the land. Israel let them fix where they pleased, being a quiet, contented people. They that molested none, were molested by none. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Judges 1:1-20

Overthrow of Various Enemies v. 1. Now, after the death of Joshua, which was related in the last chapter of the Book of Joshua, it came to pass, as the author states in taking up the thread of the narrative, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, through the Urim and Thummim of the high priest, Numbers 27:21, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first to fight against them? Joshua had very emphatically enjoined upon them the extermination of the tribes of Canaan which... read more