Judges 1:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 1:9-20

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 dwelt in the mountain (the mountains that were round about Jerusalem) were driven out (Jdg. 1:9, 19), but those in the valley kept their ground against them, having chariots of iron, such as we read of, Josh. 17:16. Here the men of Judah failed, and thereby spoiled the influence which otherwise their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:18

Also Judah took Gaza, with the coast thereof ,.... Which by lot fell to that tribe, Joshua 15:47 ; it was not till now subdued: and Ashkelon with the coast thereof ; which, according to our countryman Sandys F17 Travels, p. 118. Ed. 5. , was ten miles from Gaza: and Ekron with the coast thereof ; this also is the lot that fell to Judah, but was afterwards given to the tribe of Dan, Joshua 15:45 ; for whom Judah now fought and took it; but in a short time all these places... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:18

Judah took Gaza - and Askelon - and Ekron - There is a most remarkable variation here in the Septuagint; I shall set down the verse: Και ουκ εκληρονομησεν Ιουδας την Γαζαν, ουδε τα ὁρια αυτης· ουδε την Ασκαλωνα, ουδε τα ὁρια αυτης· και την Ακκαρων, ουδε τα ὁρια αυτης· την Αζωτον, ουδε τα περισπορια αυτης· και ην Κυριος μετα Ιουδα. "But Judah Did Not possess Gaza, Nor the coast thereof; neither Askelon, nor the coasts thereof, neither Ekron, nor the coasts thereof; neither... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:18

It is remarkable that Ashdod is not here mentioned, as it is in Joshua 15:46-47, in conjunction with Gaza and Ekron; but that Askelon, which is not in the list of the cities of Judah at all, is named in its stead. (See Joshua 13:3 note.) It is a curious fact that when Rameses III took Askelon it was occupied, not by Philistines, but apparently by Hebrews. Rameses began to reign in 1269 B.C., and reigned 25 years. At any time between 1269 and 1244 B.C. such occupation of Askelon by Hebrews... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:18

Judges 1:18. Judah also took Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron These three cities were in the country of the Philistines, upon the sea-coast, and the Israelites did not hold them long before the Philistines recovered them again. For as the Israelites contented themselves with taking these cities, and making the people tributary without destroying them, it was not difficult for them to regain their liberty. 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 1:18

took Gaza, &c. These were wholly or partially retaken by the enemy, Compare Judges 14:19 ; Jdg 16:1 . 1 Samuel 5:10 . Perhaps this accounts for the Septuagint reading, "Judah too did not inherit". coast = border. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 1:1-21

The leadership of Judah 1:1-21 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 1:17-21

The soldiers of Judah and Simeon also conquered Hormah (lit. devotion or destruction), Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron (Judges 1:17-18). The "valley" from which the Israelites could not drive out the Canaanites (Judges 1:19) probably refers to the flat Coastal Plain. This inability was, of course, due to a failure in Israel’s trust and obedience (cf. Joshua 1:5-8; Joshua 17:16-18).The reference to iron chariots (Judges 1:19) has caused problems for some readers since archaeologists have dated the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:1-36

The Conquests of Judah, Simeon, and other Tribes1-8. Conquests of Judah and Simeon.1. After the death of Joshua] This joins the beginning of Judges to the end of Joshua; but in what follows the author refers to events which must have preceded the partition of Joshua 13 f., and the campaigns of Joshua 10, 11. Asked the lord] Consulted the oracle of the Lord’: cp. Judges 18:5; Judges 20:18. See also Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21. 2. The land] the S. part of Palestine. 3. Simeon] The towns of Simeon... read more

Group of Brands