MPV Commentary
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Judges 1
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Judges 1
22-23. The tribe of Ephraim, part of the larger house of Joseph, was distinct from Manasseh (Jud 1:27).
24. The spies asked the man to show them the city's entrance and weakest points in its walls.
They promised him mercy, but this was conditional on his cooperation with their mission. They could offer him a deal because, as God's chosen people, they had divine authority over Canaan (Jos 2:12-14). However, it is likely that their promise of mercy depended on the man embracing the true faith or leaving the country, which he eventually did.
25. The city was called Luz (see Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 28:18).
26-36. The Israelites continued to subjugate other tribes in Canaan with varying degrees of success. Many natives likely fled and became early settlers in Greece, Italy, and other countries. However, a significant number resisted the invasion and retained control over their ancestral lands.
In some cases, when the native populations were defeated, the Israelites spared them out of greed, despite God's explicit command to destroy all idolaters (see subsequent descriptions in this book). This disobedience led to numerous troubles for the Israelites.