Judges 1:3-8 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:7

Threescore and ten kinds - Chieftains, heads of tribes, or military officers. For the word king cannot be taken here in its proper and usual sense. Having their thumbs and their great toes cut off - That this was an ancient mode of treating enemies we learn from Aelian, who tells us, Var. Hist. l. ii., c. 9, that "the Athenians, at the instigation of Cleon, son of Cleaenetus, made a decree that all the inhabitants of the island of Aegina should have the thumb cut... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:8

Had fought against Jerusalem - We read this verse in a parenthesis, because we suppose that it refers to the taking of this city by Joshua; for as he had conquered its armies and slew its king, Joshua 10:26 , it is probable that he took the city: yet we find that the Jebusites still dwelt in it, Joshua 15:63 ; and that the men of Judah could not drive them out, which probably refers to the strong hold or fortress on Mount Zion, which the Jebusites held till the days of David, who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:4

The Canaanites and the Perizzites - See Genesis 12:6, note; Genesis 13:7, note. Bezek may be the name of a district. It has not yet been identified. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:7

Threescore and ten kings - We may infer from this number of conquered kings, that the intestine wars of the Canaanites were among the causes which, under God’s Providence, weakened their resistance to the Israelites. Adoni-Bezek’s cruelty to the subject kings was the cause of his receiving (compare the marginal references) this chastisement. The loss of the thumb would make a man unfit to handle a sword or a bow; the loss of his big toe would impede his speed. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:8

Render “and the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem, and took it, and smote it,” etc. With regard to the capture of Jerusalem there is some obscurity. It is here said to have been taken, smitten with the edge of the sword, and burned, by the children of Judah. In Joshua 12:8, Joshua 12:10 the Jebusite and the king of Jerusalem are enumerated among Joshua’s conquests, but without any distinct mention of the capture of the city; and in the marginal reference we read that the Jebusites were... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:3

Judges 1:3. Judah said unto Simeon As nearest to him, both by relation, being his brother by both parents, and by habitation. Come up with me against the Canaanites Which people, with the Perizzites, still possessed a considerable part of the lot which fell to Judah. And I will likewise go with thee To drive the Canaanites out of that part of the country which was the portion of Simeon. So Simeon went with him They joined their forces together in this expedition, under the conduct, no... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:4

Judges 1:4. Judah went up The people of that tribe were principally concerned in this expedition, and therefore are only mentioned, though those of the tribe of Simeon went up with them. And the Lord delivered, &c. We meet with no such pious expression (which occurs often here) in any heathen writer. In them every success is attributed to the conduct and valour of the generals, or the strength and courage of the forces; but in the Scriptures every success is attributed to God only. ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:5-6

Judges 1:5-6. Adoni-bezek in Bezek He was the king or lord of that place, as his name imports, and, as it appears, he had fled into it for safety when he had lost the field. They fought against him That is, against the city wherein he had taken refuge, and against the rest of his army. Cut off his thumbs and great toes That he might be incapable of war hereafter, being rendered unable to handle arms, or to run swiftly. This severe treatment had been practised upon other kings by... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:7

Judges 1:7. Threescore and ten kings Anciently each ruler of a city or great town was called a king, and had kingly power in that place; and many such kings we meet with in Canaan; and it is probable that, some years before, kings had been more numerous there, till the greater destroyed many of the less. Add to this, that it is likely some of these seventy kings had reigned in one and the same place, and had successively opposed him. Have gathered their meat under my table An act of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:8-10

Judges 1:8-10. Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and taken it Yet some of the inhabitants retired into the castle, and held out there till David’s time. Judah went against the Canaanites in Hebron Under the conduct of Caleb, as is recorded Joshua 15:14, &c., for that relation and this are doubtless one and the same expedition, and it is mentioned there by anticipation. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:5-6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:8-10

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