Judges 1:1
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)
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What's striking here is that Israel doesn't ask for a general or a king, but for guidance on which tribe should go up first. This reveals their tribal structure and their humble reliance on God for direction even as they faced a crucial national task, rather than just appointing a leader themselves.
With Joshua, their great leader, now gone, the people of Israel are facing a crucial moment. They haven't fully conquered the Canaanites and are unsure how to proceed, so they gather to seek divine guidance. This inquiry sets the stage for the book of Judges, which will detail their ongoing struggles and victories in the Promised Land.
Joshua led them to the Promised Land, but the job wasn't finished. What happened next?
Joshua's death marked a significant transition for the Israelites. While he had led them through incredible conquests, the Canaanites, the original inhabitants of the land, were not entirely vanquished. This verse shows that even after Joshua's passing, the mission to fully possess the land remained. The Israelites understood this, and their immediate question wasn't about electing a new leader, but about continuing the fight. They recognized that the presence of the Canaanites was a persistent problem that needed to be addressed to secure their future in the land God had given them.
Leadership transitions can leave us feeling lost. Where did the Israelites turn?
The Israelites faced a pivotal moment after Joshua's death. Without their great leader, they didn't just guess or appoint someone. Instead, they turned to the Lord! The text specifies they 'inquired of the LORD,' likely through the High Priest and the Urim and Thummim. This shows a deep-seated understanding that God was their ultimate guide and commander. Even though they were a nation now, and perhaps expected to simply pick a new general, they sought divine counsel first. This was crucial for ensuring they moved forward according to God's will, not their own strategy.
They didn't ask 'Who will lead us all?' but 'Who goes first?' What does this subtle difference reveal?
The specific question asked – 'Who shall go up first for us?' – is incredibly telling. It suggests they weren't looking for a single, overarching commander to replace Joshua for the entire conquest. Instead, they wanted to know which tribe should take the initiative. This implies a decentralized approach where tribes would take on portions of the task, but with God's endorsement for the first step. This strategy would likely embolden the other tribes, showing them the way and building momentum. It highlights a communal responsibility and a desire for God's blessing on each phase of the mission, starting with the very first move.
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.
The verse highlights Israel's immediate need for divine guidance after Joshua's death, showing their reliance on God even as they faced renewed threats from the Canaanites and initiated their own tribal campaigns.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began conquering the land of Canaan, engaging in significant battles and dividing the land among the tribes.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Joshua's Death
Joshua, the long-time leader of the Israelites, dies after a distinguished career of military leadership and land distribution. His death creates a leadership vacuum.
c. 1400-1350 BC
Renewed Conflict with Canaanites
Following Joshua's death, the remaining Canaanite nations within the land begin to reassert themselves, posing a threat to the Israelites' continued occupation and control.
c. 1380 BC
Othniel Becomes First Judge
Othniel, Caleb's nephew, is raised up by God to deliver Israel from oppression by Mesopotamian kings, marking the beginning of the period of the Judges.
This passage describes Moses instructing Joshua to seek God's guidance through Eleazar the priest and the Urim and Thummim for military direction, mirroring the Israelites' action in Judges 1:1 after Joshua's death.
Joshua 14:13Joshua, acting on God's command, gives Caleb the territory of Hebron, indicating that significant tribal assignments and military actions were already underway during Joshua's lifetime, which provides context for the continuation of these efforts after his death.
Deuteronomy 1:38God promises Joshua that he would lead Israel to possess the land, establishing a divine mandate for conquest that the people are seeking to continue under new leadership.
Joshua 24:31This verse highlights that Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and the elders who outlived him, showing a continuity of faith and obedience that would eventually be challenged, setting the stage for the events in Judges.
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…
What's striking here is that Israel doesn't ask for a general or a king, but for guidance on which tribe should go up first. This reveals their tribal structure and their humble reliance on God for direction even as they faced a crucial national task, rather than just appointing a leader themselves.
With Joshua, their great leader, now gone, the people of Israel are facing a crucial moment. They haven't fully conquered the Canaanites and are unsure how to proceed, so they gather to seek divine guidance. This inquiry sets the stage for the book of Judges, which will detail their ongoing struggles and victories in the Promised Land.
With Joshua, their great leader, now gone, the people of Israel are facing a crucial moment. They haven't fully conquered the Canaanites and are unsure how to proceed, so they gather to seek divine guidance. This inquiry sets the stage for the book of Judges, which will detail their ongoing struggles and victories in the Promised Land.
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"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?”" — What's striking here is that Israel doesn't ask for a general or a king, but for guidance on which tribe should go up first. This reveals their tribal structure and their humble reliance on God f…
