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Matthew Henry

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 1:4

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

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

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

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 1:4

Judges 1:4. In Bezek— Bezek was a city of the tribe of Judah, and is thought to have been at a small distance from Bethlehem and Jerusalem. See 1Sa 11:8 and Wells's Geogr. vol. 2: read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 1:1-5

A. Hostilities between the Israelites and the Canaanites following Joshua’s death 1:1-2:5". . . archaeology shows that the superpowers (Babylonia, Assyria, the Hittites, and Egypt) were relatively weak during the days of the judges and the monarchy. Internal affairs kept them busy at home. This, humanly speaking, made possible the survival of the nation of Israel. The smaller, local enemies were trouble enough for her armies." [Note: Arthur H. Lewis, Judges and Ruth, p. 13.] 1. Initial... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 1:1-6

I. THE REASONS FOR ISRAEL’S APOSTASY 1:1-3:6The first major section in the book (Judges 1:1 to Judges 3:6) explains very clearly why the period of the judges was a dark chapter in Israel’s history. God revealed the reasons for Israel’s apostasy and consequent national problems in terms too clear to miss.The years immediately following Joshua’s death saw a transition from success to failure. The events of this period set the scene for the amphictyony (rule by judges) and provide a background for... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 1:4

Bezek was obviously a stronghold of the Canaanites and Perizzites at this time since the Israelite forces were able to smite them near this town. The word translated "thousand" (Heb. eleph) can also mean "military unit." In Judges 20:10 it refers to a unit of 10 men. Consequently the meaning here may be 10 military units rather than 10 thousand soldiers. [Note: See my note on 20:10.] read more

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