Judges 1:3-8 NIV

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 1:3

And Judah said unto Simeon his brother ,.... The men of the tribe of Judah said to those of the tribe of Simeon, they being not only brethren by father's and mother's side, which was not the case of all the sons of Jacob, but their possessions and inheritances lay near together; and indeed those of Simeon were within the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, Joshua 19:1 ; so that as they lived in great nearness and familiarity with each other, their interests were closely united together: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:4

And Judah went up ,.... Simeon being along with him, from the southern parts of the land, where they dwelt, and went more northward towards Jerusalem, and which therefore is called a going up: and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands : into the hands of Judah and Simeon: the Canaanites here is not the common name of the seven nations, but the name of one of those nations, distinguished from the rest, as here from the Perizzites, who otherwise were also... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:5

And they found Adonibezek in Bezek ,.... Who was king of, the place, and whose name signifies lord of Bezek; not that they took him there, for he is afterwards said to make his escape from thence, but here he was when they came against that city, and into which they rushed upon him, and fell upon him as follows: and they fought against him ; entering the city with their forces: and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites : that were in it, or about it, even to the number of ten... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:6

But Adonibezek fled, and they pursued after him, and caught him ,.... It is very probable his view was to get to Jebus or Jerusalem, a strong and fortified city and he made his way thither as fast as he could, but was pursued and overtaken by some of the forces of Judah and Simeon; and the rather it may seem he took this course, since when he was taken by them, they brought him thither, as follows: and cut off his thumbs and his great toes ; whereby he was disabled both for fighting and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:7

And Adonibezek said ,.... To the men of Judah, after his thumbs and toes were cut off, his conscience accusing him for what he had done to others, and being obliged to acknowledge he was righteously dealt with: threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off ; that is, by him, or by his orders, whom he had conquered and made captives; according to Josephus F7 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 2. sect. 2. , they were seventy two; the number may be accounted for by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:8

Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it ,.... Which accounted for their carrying Adonibezek thither. This they had done in the times of Joshua; for when the king of that place was taken and slain by Joshua, it seems that he and Israel went and fought against the city, and took that in which the tribe of Judah had a principal concern; so Kimchi and Ben Gersom interpret it; but Jarchi and Abarbinel are of opinion, that now from Bezek they went up to Jerusalem,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:3

Come up with me into my lot - It appears that the portions of Judah and Simeon had not been cleared of the Canaanites, or that these were the parts which were now particularly invaded. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:5

And they found Adoni-bezek - The word מצא matsa , "he found," is used to express a hostile encounter between two parties; to attack, surprise, etc. This is probably its meaning here. Adoni-bezek is literally the lord of Bezek. It is very probable that the different Canaanitish tribes were governed by a sort of chieftains, similar to those among the clans of the ancient Scottish Highlanders. Bezek is said by some to have been in the tribe of Judah. Eusebius and St. Jerome mention... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:6

Cut off his thumbs - That he might never be able to draw his bow or handle his sword, and great toes, that he might never be able to pursue or escape from an adversary. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:6

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