Judges 1:1,Judges 1:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 1:1-8

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 after the death of Joshua. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:1

Now after the death of Joshua ,.... With the account of which the preceding book is concluded, and therefore this very properly follows after that; though Epiphanius F2 De Mensur. & Ponder. c. 13. places the book of Job between them: it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord ; that is, the heads of them who gathered together at Shiloh, where the tabernacle was; and standing before the high priest, either Eleazar, or rather Phinehas his son, Eleazar being in all... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Now after the death of Joshua - How long after the death of Joshua this happened we cannot tell; it is probable that it was not long. The enemies of the Israelites, finding their champion dead, would naturally avail themselves of their unsettled state, and make incursions on the country. Who shall go up - Joshua had left no successor, and every thing relative to the movements of this people must be determined either by caprice, or an especial direction of the Lord. read more

Albert Barnes

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

After the death of Joshua - But from Judges 1:1 to Judges 2:9 is a consecutive narrative, ending with the death of Joshua. Hence, the events in this chapter and in Judges 2:1-6 are to be taken as belonging to the lifetime of Joshua. See Judges 2:11 note.Asked the Lord - The phrase is only found in Judges and Samuel. It was the privilege of the civil ruler, to apply to the high priest to consult for him the Urim and Thummim (marginal reference). (Compare Joshua 14:1; Joshua 18:1, Joshua 18:10;... read more

Joseph Benson

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

Judges 1:1. After the death of Joshua Not long after it; for Othniel, the first judge, lived in Joshua’s time. Asked the Lord Being assembled together at Shiloh, they inquired of the high-priest by the Urim and the Thummim. Against the Canaanites first Finding their people multiply exceedingly, and consequently the necessity of enlarging their quarters, they renew the war. They do not inquire who shall be captain-general to all the tribes; but what tribe shall first undertake the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 1:1-36

1:1-2:10 SUMMARY OF JOSHUA’S CONQUESTIsrael’s incomplete conquest (1:1-36)The writer of the book is concerned with events ‘after the death of Joshua’ (see 1:1), but before describing these events he gives a background to them by outlining Israel’s conquest of Canaan under Joshua. First, he summarizes the attack led by Judah and Simeon in the southern part of the central highlands (1:1-7; see notes on Joshua 10:1-43).Jerusalem was among the highland towns that Joshua captured. Later, however, it... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 1:1

Now = And. Commencing with the same word as the preceding books; thus connecting them all together. The book of Joshua = the inheritance possessed: Judges = the inheritance despised. Records the failure of the People, and the faithfulness of Jehovah. The Epilogue (Judges 21:25 ) gives the key to the whole book. See note on Judges 17:6 . Joshua. Compare Joshua 24:29 . children = sons. asked = enquired: i.e. by Urim and Thummim, as in Judges 18:5 ; Judges 20:18 . See note on Exodus 28:30 .... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Judges 1:1

PREFACE (Judges 1:1-3:6)THE FAILURE OF ISRAEL TO DRIVE OUT THE CANAANITESIn describing the repeated apostasies and subsequent invasions and oppressions of Israel, it was necessary to establish the REASON why God allowed such treatment of the Chosen People. That reason, of course, was their FAILURE TO OBEY God's instructions regarding driving out the corrupt pagan nations of Canaan. In line, therefore, with making this abundantly clear, the author of Judges included a recapitulation of many... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 1:1

Judges 1:1. Now, after the death of Joshua, it came to pass— It is related in this chapter, in what state each of the tribes was after Joshua was dead; and some things, by the way, are resumed which had happened before, and which we have read in the Book of Joshua; as the taking of the cities of Hebron and Kirjath-sepher, &c. It is not possible to fix the exact date of the war here narrated. It is most probable, that the Israelites did not think of attacking the Canaanites till some years... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:1

1. Now after the death of Joshua—probably not a long period, for the Canaanites seem to have taken advantage of that event to attempt recovering their lost position, and the Israelites were obliged to renew the war. the children of Israel asked the Lord—The divine counsel on this, as on other occasions, was sought by Urim and Thummim, by applying to the high priest, who, according to JOSEPHUS, was Phinehas. saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first—The elders, who exercised... read more