Judges 1:5

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 1:5

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

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

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

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 1:5

Adoni-bezek = Lord of Bezek. Bezek was seventeen miles south of Shechem. Compare 1 Samuel 11:8 . Compare Joshua 15:13-19 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 1:5

Judges 1:5. They found Adoni-bezek— Adoni signifies Lord, or Master; so that Adoni-bezek was evidently the King, or Lord, of Bezek. See Bochart's Hieroz. pars 1: lib. 2. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 1:5

5, 6. Bezek—This place lay within the domain of Judah, about twelve miles south of Jerusalem. found Adoni-bezek—that is, "lord of Bezek"—he was "found," that is, surprised and routed in a pitched battle, whence he fled; but being taken prisoner, he was treated with a severity unusual among the Israelites, for they "cut off his thumbs and great toes." Barbarities of various kinds were commonly practised on prisoners of war in ancient times, and the object of this particular mutilation of the... 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

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