Judges
The book of Judges forms an important link in the history of the Israelites. It furnishes us with a lively description of a fluctuating and unsettled nation; a striking picture of the disorders and dangers which prevailed in a republic without magistracy; when "the high-ways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through by-ways" (Jdg_5:6), when few prophets were appointed to control the people, and "every one did that which was right in his own eyes" (Jdg_17:6). It exhibits the contest of true religion with superstition; and displays the beneficial effects that flow from the former, and the miseries and evil consequences of impiety. It is a most remarkable history of the long-suffering of God towards the Israelites, in which we see the most signal instances of his justice and mercy alternately displayed. the people sinned, and were punished; they repented, and found mercy. These things are written for our warning. none should presume, for God is just; none need despair, for God is merciful. Independently of the internal evidence of the authenticity of this sacred book, the transactions it records are not only cited or alluded to by other inspired writers, but are further confirmed by the traditions current among heathen nations.
Judges 1
Overview
1:1 The acts of Judah and Simeon;
1:4 Adonibezek justly requited;
1:8 Jerusalem taken;
1:10 Hebron taken;
1:11 Othniel has Achsah to wife for taking of Debir;
1:16 The Kenites dwell in Judah;
1:17 Hormah, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron taken;
1:21 The acts of Benjamin;
1:22 Of the house of Joseph, who take Beth-el;
1:30 Of Zebulun;
1:31 Of Asher;
1:33 Of Naphtali;
1:34 Of Dan. Verse 1 Now Joshua 24:29, 24:30 asked Judges 20:18, 20:28; Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 22:9, 22:10, 23:9, 23:10 Reciprocal Genesis 49:8 - thy hand; Numbers 2:3 - the standard; Deuteronomy 33:7 - and bring; Joshua 5:1 - Canaanites; 9:14 - asked not; Judges 10:18 - What man; 1 Samuel 9:9 - inquire; 10:22 - inquired; 14:37 - Shall I go; 23:2 - inquired; 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired; 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever; 22:5 - Inquire; 2 Chronicles 6:34 - by the way; Proverbs 20:18 - and Verse 2 Genesis 49:8-10; Numbers 2:3, 7:12; Psalm 78:68-70; Habakkuk 3:1; Revelation 5:5, 19:11-16 Reciprocal Genesis 46:12 - Judah; Judges 1:19 - the Lord; 20:18 - Judah; 20:28 - Go up; 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever; 1 Chronicles 5:2 - Judah; 2 Chronicles 6:34 - by the way; Proverbs 20:18 - and Verse 3 Simeon Genesis 29:33; Joshua 19:1 I likewise Judges 1:17; 2 Samuel 10:11 Reciprocal Revelation 7:7 - Simeon Verse 4 Lord Exodus 23:28, 23:29; Deuteronomy 7:2, 9:3; Joshua 10:8-10, 11:6-8; 1 Samuel 14:6, 14:10; 17:46, 17:47; 1 Kings 22:6, 22:15 BezekEusebius and Jerome mention two villages of this name, near each other, about seventeen miles from Shechem, towards Scythopolis. 1 Samuel 11:8 Reciprocal Exodus 23:31 - deliver the; Deuteronomy 2:33 - the Lord; Judges 11:32 - the Lord; 1 Samuel 26:8 - God; 2 Chronicles 13:16 - God delivered Verse 5 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 11:8 - Bezek Verse 6 Reciprocal Exodus 14:26 - the waters; 21:24 - General; Joshua 15:16 - General; Esther 8:12 - one day; Psalm 59:11 - Slay; 107:40 - contempt; 149:8 - General; Jeremiah 34:17 - behold; 50:15 - as she Verse 7 their thumbsHeb. the thumbs of their hands and of their feet, This was not an unusual act of cruelty in ancient times towards enemies. - Alian informs us, that in after ages "the Athenians, at the instigation of Cleon, son of Cleoenetus, made a decree that all the inhabitants of the island of Agina should have the thumb cut off from the right hand, so that they might ever after be disabled from holding a spear, yet might handle an oar." It was a custom among those Romans who did not like a military life, to cut off their thumbs, that they might be incapable of serving in the army; and for the same reason, parents sometimes cut off the thumbs of their children.gatheredor, gleanedas I have Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:19-21; 1 Samuel 15:33; Isaiah 33:1; Matthew 7:1, 7:2; Luke 6:37, 6:38; Romans 2:15; James 2:13; Revelation 13:10, 16:6 Reciprocal Genesis 19:36 - General; 29:25 - wherefore; 42:21 - we saw; 44:16 - God hath; Exodus 14:26 - the waters; 21:24 - General; 1 Samuel 11:11 - slew; 2 Samuel 1:10 - slew; 10:19 - servants; 1 Kings 16:11 - he slew; 20:1 - Thirty and two; 21:19 - In the place; 2 Kings 11:16 - there was she slain; 2 Chronicles 12:6 - the Lord; 23:15 - they slew her there; Esther 8:12 - one day; Psalm 9:16 - known; 10:14 - to requite; 59:11 - Slay; 107:40 - contempt; 149:8 - General; Proverbs 12:10 - but; Jeremiah 34:17 - behold; 50:15 - as she; 51:49 - As Babylon; Lamentations 1:18 - Lord; Ezekiel 31:11 - he shall surely deal with him; Daniel 11:18 - he shall cause; Joel 3:7 - and will; Obadiah 1:15 - as; Luke 7:29 - justified Verse 8 Judges 1:21; Joshua 15:63 Reciprocal 15:8 - the Jebusite; 18:16 - Jebusi; Judges 19:10 - Jebus; 2 Samuel 5:6 - Jerusalem Verse 9 afterward Joshua 10:36, 11:21, 15:13-20 valleyor, low countryReciprocal Numbers 13:17 - the mountain Verse 10 Kirjatharba Joshua 14:15 Sheshai Judges 1:20; Numbers 13:22, 13:33; Joshua 15:13, 15:14; Psalm 33:16, 33:17; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Jeremiah 9:23 Reciprocal Genesis 23:2 - Kirjatharba; Deuteronomy 1:28 - we have seen; Joshua 10:36 - Hebron; 11:21 - the Anakims; 21:11 - the city of Arba Verse 11 Debir Joshua 10:38, 10:39, 15:15 Reciprocal 11:21 - the Anakims; 15:49 - Kirjathsannah Verse 12 And CalebThe whole of this account is found in Joshua 15:13-19, and seems to be inserted here by way of recapitulation. 15:16, 15:17; 1 Samuel 17:25, 18:23 to himIn ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage; and it was customary for a king or great man to promise his daughter in marriage to him who should take a city, etc.Reciprocal Deuteronomy 1:36 - Caleb; 1 Chronicles 4:15 - Caleb; Esther 6:3 - What honour; Psalm 60:9 - Who; Jeremiah 29:6 - take wives Verse 13 Judges 3:9 Reciprocal Joshua 15:16 - General; 15:17 - Othniel; 1 Chronicles 4:13 - Kenaz; Esther 6:3 - What honour Verse 14 And it came Joshua 15:18, 15:19 and she lightedWatitznach, "she hastily or suddenly alighted," as if she had forgotten something, or was about to return.Reciprocal Genesis 24:64 - lighted; 1 Samuel 25:23 - lighted Verse 15 a blessing Genesis 33:11; 1 Samuel 25:18, 25:27; 2 Corinthians 9:5 *marg. Habakkuk 3:1; 1 Peter 3:9 a south landWhich was probably dry, or very ill watered.give me also springs of waterLet me have some fields with brooks, or wells already digged.Reciprocal Genesis 21:25 - reproved; Numbers 13:17 - southward; Joshua 15:19 - Give me Verse 16 the Kenite Judges 4:11, 4:17; Numbers 10:29-32, 24:21, 24:22; 1 Samuel 15:6; 1 Chronicles 2:15; Jeremiah 35:2 Moses'Exodus 3:1, 4:18, 18:1, 18:7, 18:12, 18:14-17, 18:27; Numbers 10:29 city of palm Judges 3:13; Deuteronomy 34:3; 2 Chronicles 28:16 which Numbers 21:1; Joshua 12:14 they went Numbers 10:29-32; 1 Samuel 15:6 Reciprocal Numbers 10:32 - General; 1 Samuel 27:10 - Kenites; 30:29 - Kenites; 1 Chronicles 2:55 - Kenites; 2 Chronicles 28:15 - the city Verse 17 And Judah Judges 1:3 Zephath 2 Chronicles 14:10, ZephathahHormah Numbers 14:45, 21:3; Joshua 19:4 Reciprocal 15:30 - Hormah; 1 Samuel 30:30 - Hormah Verse 18 Joshua 11:22, 13:3, 15:45-47; 1 Samuel 6:17 Also JudahThere is the following remarkable variation here in the Septuagint:
Και ουκ εκληρονομησεν Ιουδας την Γαζαν, ουδε τα ορια αυτης; ουδε την Ασκαλωνα, ουδε τα ορια αυτης; και την Ακκαρων, ουδε τα ορια αυτης; την Αζωτον, ουδε τα περισπορια αυτης.
"But Judah did not possess Gaza, nor the coasts thereof; nor Askelon, nor the coasts thereof; nor Ekron, nor the coasts thereof; nor Ashdod, nor the coasts thereof." Procopius and Augustine read the same; and Josephus (Ant. 1. v. c. 2 sec. 4) says that the Israelites only took Askelon and Ashdod, but not Gaza or Ekron; and from Judges 3:3, and the whole succeeding history, it appears that these cities were not in the possession of the Israelites, but of the Philistines.Gaza 3:3, 16:1, 16:2, 16:21; Exodus 23:31 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 5:10 - God to Ekron; Obadiah 1:19 - the plain Verse 19 the Lord Judges 1:2, 6:12, 6:13; Genesis 39:2, 39:21; Joshua 1:5, 1:9, 14:12; 2 Samuel 5:10; 2 Kings 18:7; Psalm 46:7, 46:11, 60:12; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Isaiah 7:14, 8:10, 41:10, 41:14, 41:15; Matthew 1:23; Romans 8:31 he draveetc. or he possessed the mountainbut couldNot because the iron chariots were too strong for Omnipotence, or because he refused to help them; but because their courage and faith failed when they saw them. Judges 1:27-32; Joshua 7:12; Matthew 14:30, 14:31, 17:19, 17:20; Philippians 4:13 chariots Exodus 14:7-31; Joshua 11:1-9, 17:16-18; Psalm 46:9 Reciprocal Numbers 13:17 - the mountain; Judges 1:22 - the Lord; 2:14 - could not; 4:3 - chariots; Psalm 106:34 - did not; Obadiah 1:19 - the plain Verse 20 they gave Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:9-14, 15:13, 15:14, 21:11, 21:12 the three sons Judges 1:10; Numbers 13:22 Reciprocal 13:28 - saw the; Deuteronomy 1:28 - we have seen; Joshua 11:21 - the Anakims; 14:12 - I shall; 14:13 - gave unto; 1 Chronicles 6:55 - Hebron Verse 21 Judges 19:10-12; Joshua 15:63, 18:11-28; 2 Samuel 5:6-9 Reciprocal Genesis 10:16 - Jebusite; Numbers 33:55 - shall be pricks; Deuteronomy 33:12 - The beloved; Joshua 15:8 - the Jebusite; 18:16 - Jebusi; Judges 1:8 - General; 19:11 - the Jebusites; 2 Samuel 24:16 - the Jebusite; 1 Kings 9:21 - left; 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Jebusite; 8:28 - dwelt; 11:4 - Jebus; 2 Chronicles 8:8 - whom the children; Psalm 106:34 - did not; Jeremiah 6:1 - O ye Verse 22 the house Numbers 1:10, 1:32; Joshua 14:4, 16:1-4; 1 Chronicles 7:29; Revelation 7:8 the Lord Judges 1:19; Genesis 49:24; 2 Kings 18:7 Reciprocal Genesis 28:19 - the name; 35:6 - Luz; Numbers 14:9 - the Lord; Joshua 12:16 - Bethel; 16:2 - Bethel; 18:13 - side of Luz; 1 Samuel 30:27 - Bethel; 1 Kings 11:28 - the house; 1 Chronicles 7:28 - Bethel; Amos 5:6 - the house Verse 23 sent Judges 18:2; Joshua 2:1, 7:2 Luz Genesis 28:19, 35:6, 48:3 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 30:27 - Bethel; 1 Kings 11:28 - the house; 1 Chronicles 19:3 - to search; Amos 5:6 - the house Verse 24 we will Joshua 2:12-14; 1 Samuel 30:15 Reciprocal Genesis 42:9 - Ye are spies; Deuteronomy 7:2 - make no; Joshua 2:14 - when the Lord; 6:25 - Rahab; Judges 8:14 - caught; 1 Samuel 30:16 - when he; 1 Chronicles 19:3 - to search; Psalm 60:9 - Who; 116:8 - and my feet Verse 25 they smote Joshua 6:22-25 Reciprocal 2:14 - when the Lord; 6:25 - Rahab; Judges 8:14 - caught; 1 Samuel 30:16 - when he; Psalm 60:9 - Who Verse 26 the land 2 Kings 7:6; 2 Chronicles 1:17 Reciprocal Joshua 4:9 - and they are there; 1 Chronicles 4:43 - unto this day; Matthew 27:8 - unto Verse 27 Manasseh Joshua 17:11-13 Taanach Judges 5:19; Joshua 21:25 the Canaanites Exodus 23:32; Deuteronomy 7:2; 1 Samuel 15:9; Psalm 106:34, 106:35; Jeremiah 48:10 Reciprocal Joshua 11:2 - Dor; 17:12 - General; Judges 1:19 - but could; 1 Samuel 31:10 - Bethshan; 1 Kings 4:11 - Dor; 9:21 - left; 2 Kings 9:27 - Ibleam; 23:29 - Megiddo; 1 Chronicles 4:10 - enlarge; 6:70 - Bileam; 7:29 - Megiddo Verse 28 Reciprocal Genesis 9:25 - a servant; Deuteronomy 20:11 - tributaries; Joshua 17:12 - General; 17:13 - waxen strong; 1 Samuel 14:24 - I may be; 1 Kings 9:21 - levy Verse 29 Joshua 16:10; 1 Kings 9:16 Reciprocal Joshua 10:33 - Gezer; Judges 3:5 - dwelt; 1 Samuel 27:8 - the Amalekites; 1 Kings 9:15 - Gezer Verse 30 KitronThe Talmudists say Kitron is "tzippor," that is, Sepphoris, or Diocesarea, a celebrated city of Galilee, now the village Safoury, situated in the plain of Esdraelon, twenty miles (north-west) from Tiberias, according to Benjamin of Tudela.Nahalol Joshua 19:15 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 20:11 - tributaries; Joshua 17:13 - put the; Judges 1:33 - became Verse 31 Asher Joshua 19:24-30 AcchoAccho, the Ptolemais of the Greeks and Romans, and called Saint John of Acre by the Crusaders, is situated on the Mediterranean, in a fine plain, at the north angle of a bay to which it gives name, and which extends in a semicircle of three leagues as far as Carmel, and nine leagues from Tyre.ZidonAnother celebrated city of Phoenicia, now Saide, situated in a fine country on the Mediterranean, 400 stadia from Berytus, and 200 (north) from Tyre, according to Strabo, one day's journey from Paneas, according to Josephus, and sixty-six miles from Damascus, according to Abulfeda.AchzibOr, Ecdippa, now Zib, nine miles north, from Accho.Reciprocal Numbers 13:21 - Rehob; Joshua 19:28 - great; 19:29 - Achzib; 21:31 - Rehob; 2 Samuel 10:8 - Rehob; 1 Kings 20:26 - Aphek; Matthew 15:21 - Tyre Verse 32 Psalm 106:34, 106:35 Reciprocal Judges 1:33 - he dwelt Verse 33 Naphtali Joshua 19:32-38 he dwelt Judges 1:32 became 1:30, 1:35; Psalm 18:24 Reciprocal Joshua 17:13 - put the Verse 34 Judges 18:1; Joshua 19:47 Reciprocal 13:4 - the Amorites; Judges 2:14 - could not Verse 35 Aijalon Judges 12:12; Joshua 10:12 Shaalbim 19:42; 1 Kings 4:9 prevailedHeb. was heavyReciprocal Joshua 17:13 - put the; 19:47 - the coast; Judges 1:33 - became; 1 Kings 9:21 - levy Verse 36 from the goingor, Maaleh-akrabbim, Numbers 34:4; Joshua 15:2 Reciprocal 15:3 - Maalehacrabbim