After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Instead of asking for a general to lead them, the people ask which tribe should go first, showing they wanted God's direct guidance on who would have the honor and responsibility of initiating the conquest. This detail reveals their understanding that military success wasn't just about human strategy, but about divine appointment and favor.
After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
With Joshua, their great leader, gone, the people of Israel are now facing the daunting task of conquering the remaining Canaanites without his guidance. They gather at Shiloh and seek God's direction through the Urim and Thummim, asking which tribe should lead the charge into battle first. This marks a critical transition, as they must learn to depend directly on God for leadership and strategy, rather than on a human commander.
Joshua, the great leader who led Israel into the Promised Land, has died. What happens now? When our trusted leaders are gone, it's easy to feel lost. But notice Israel's first move.
A New Era, A Familiar Path
Joshua's death marked a significant transition for Israel. He was the figurehead, the military genius, the one who had navigated them through so many challenges. His passing would naturally create uncertainty.
But look closely at what the people did: 'the people of Israel inquired of the LORD.'
This wasn't just a passive waiting game. They actively sought God's direction. This shows a deep understanding that leadership may change, but God's guidance is constant. They didn't assume they knew the next step; they turned to the One who always knows.
Israel didn't just ask 'What should we do?' They asked a very specific question. What does this tell us about how they approached God with their challenges?
The 'Who Goes First?' Strategy
Israel's question wasn't a general plea for help. They asked, 'Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?' This reveals several key things:
Ask a follow-up
This shows a mature faith, not just asking God if they should fight, but how they should fight, looking for His wisdom in the details of their strategy.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel, revealing His personal nature, self-existence, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
Kena'ani · Hebrew Noun
A Semitic people inhabiting the land of Canaan, serving as the primary antagonists of Israel during the conquest and period of the Judges; often representing spiritual and moral opposition to God's people.
This verse marks a pivotal moment: the transition from unified leadership under Joshua to a new phase where tribal initiative and direct divine guidance were paramount for continued conquest and security.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began their conquest of the land of Canaan, following God's command.
c. 1399 BC - 1375 BC
Conquest of Canaan under Joshua
Joshua led the Israelites in a series of military campaigns, conquering significant portions of Canaan and distributing the land among the twelve tribes.
c. 1375 BC— this verse
Joshua's Death
The great leader Joshua, who had guided Israel through the conquest and division of the land, passed away at the age of 110.
c. 1375 BC - 1350 BC
Tribal Leaders Inquire of the Lord
Following Joshua's death, the elders of Israel consulted the Lord through the High Priest (likely Phinehas) using the Urim and Thummim to determine who should lead the next phase of war against remaining Canaanites.
c. 1375 BC onwards
Incomplete Canaanite Subjugation
Despite initial successes, many Canaanite strongholds and peoples remained unconquered. The tribes began to settle their allotted territories but faced ongoing conflict and encroachment.
This passage describes how Joshua was to be consecrated for leadership by inquiring of God through Eleazar the priest using the Urim and Thummim, highlighting the importance of divine direction in Israel's leadership and military actions.
Joshua 14:13This verse shows Joshua giving Caleb the land of Hebron, demonstrating that distribution and conquest were already occurring during Joshua's lifetime, which adds complexity to the timing stated in Judges 1:1 but emphasizes the ongoing need for the people to actively take possession.
Deuteronomy 1:38Here, Moses appointed Joshua as his successor, with a specific command to lead Israel into the promised land, showing a precedent for divinely appointed leadership in conquest that the people were now seeking again after Joshua's death.
Joshua 24:31This verse speaks of Israel serving the Lord all the days of Joshua and the elders who outlived him, indicating that the transition of leadership and continued faithfulness were concerns even as Joshua's influence waned.
jfbJudges 1:1: "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?"
THE BOOK OF JUDGES. Commentary by Robert Jamieson CHAPTER 1Jud 1:1-3. The Acts of Judah and Simeon.1. Now after the death of Joshua—probably not a long period, for the Canaanites seem to have taken advantage of that event to attempt recovering their lost position, and the Israelites were obliged to renew th…
wesleyJudges 1:1: "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?"
1:1 After the death - Not long after it; for Othniel, the first judge, lived in Joshua's time. Asked the Lord - Being assembled together at Shiloh, they enquired of the high - priest by the Urim and the Thummim. Against the Canaanites first - Finding their people multiply exceedingly, and consequently the nec…
Instead of asking for a general to lead them, the people ask which tribe should go first, showing they wanted God's direct guidance on who would have the honor and responsibility of initiating the conquest. This detail reveals their understanding that military success wasn't just about human strategy, but about divine appointment and favor.
With Joshua, their great leader, gone, the people of Israel are now facing the daunting task of conquering the remaining Canaanites without his guidance. They gather at Shiloh and seek God's direction through the Urim and Thummim, asking which tribe should lead the charge into battle first. This marks a critical transition, as they must learn to depend directly on God for leadership and strategy, rather than on a human commander.
With Joshua, their great leader, gone, the people of Israel are now facing the daunting task of conquering the remaining Canaanites without his guidance. They gather at Shiloh and seek God's direction through the Urim and Thummim, asking which tribe should lead the charge into battle first. This marks a critical transition, as they must learn to depend directly on God for leadership and strategy, rather than on a human commander.
"After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”" — Instead of asking for a general to lead them, the people ask which tribe should go first, showing they wanted God's direct guidance on who would have the honor and responsibility of initiating the…
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Last reviewed October 2026