Judges 18:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 18:7-13

Here is, I. The observation which the spies made upon the city of Laish, and the posture of its inhabitants, Jdg. 18:7. Never was place so ill governed and so ill guarded, which would make it a very easy prey to the invader. 1. It was ill governed, for every man might be as bad as he would, and there was no magistrate, no heir of restraint (as the word is), that might so much as put them to shame in any thing, much less put them to death, so that by the most impudent immoralities they provoked... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:9

And they said, arise, that me may go up against them ,.... That is, prepare for war, and go up in an hostile manner against the present possessors of the land, not doubting of being masters of it easily: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good . Adrichomius F24 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 3. sect. 1.) says it was very good pasture land, and fertile, abounding with fruits of all kinds; and the same is attested by Josephus F25 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 3. sect.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:9

Arise , etc. - This is a very plain and nervous address; full of good sense, and well adapted to the purpose. It seems to have produced an instantaneous effect. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 18:1-31

17:1-21:25 TRIBAL DISORDER WITHIN ISRAELThe writer of the book has now finished his account of the activity of the judges. To this he adds an appendix consisting of two stories (not necessarily placed in their correct chronological position in the book) that illustrate the disorder that existed in Israel during that period. The nation had no central government and people in the various tribes did as they pleased (see 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The stories record important changes that occurred... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 18:9

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 18:9-10

Judges 18:9-10. And they said, Arise, &c.— There cannot be a more infallible presage of the ruin of any people or nation, of the immediate destruction of a city or a kingdom, than when they dwell quiet and secure, when they are careless, as if nothing could befal them; when the magistrates are as careless as the people, or care not to put the people to shame for any thing. As good to be without any magistrates, as to have such as will neither instruct nor punish those who do amiss. They who... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 18:1-31

2. The apostasy of the Danites ch. 18 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 18:7-10

The report of the spies 18:7-10The five Danites continued northward about 100 miles and finally came upon an area they felt would be ideal for their needs. They discovered the isolated town of Laish (Leshem, Joshua 19:47) that they believed they could capture fairly easily. [Note: See John C. H. Laughlin, "Dan," Biblical Illustrator 9:4 (Summer 1983):40-46; and "Avraham Biram-Twenty Years of Digging at Tell Dan," Biblical Archaeology Review 13:4 (July-August 1987):12-25.] It occupied a... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:1-31

The Danites go in Quest of an Inheritance. They rob Micah of his Images, capture and settle in Laish, and set up Idol-Worship there1-10. The Danite Spies.2. From their coasts] RV ’from their whole number.’ For Zorah and Eshtaol see on Judges 13:25. 3. They knew] They recognised him as a Levite from the prayers he was saying.Makest] RV ’doest.’6. Before the lord] i.e. under Jehovah’s care. 7. Laish] In Joshua 19:47 the name appears as Leshem. Later on it was called Dan, from its new inhabitants... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 18:9

(9) Behold, it is very good.—Comp. Numbers 14:7; Joshua 2:23-24. The beauty of the site well bears out the description—“the rich and beautiful seclusion of that loveliest of the scenes of Palestine” (Stanley). It was by a similar statement that Anaxilaus of Rhegium persuaded the Messenians to seize Zankle (Pausan. 4:23, quoted by Cassel).Are ye still?—1 Kings 22:3; 2 Kings 7:9. read more

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