Judges 1:1-2
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?” The LORD said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Despite the initial mention of Joshua's death, the text highlights that the Israelites immediately turned to God for direction, seeking His guidance on who should lead the charge. This isn't just a procedural step; it underscores their dependence on divine appointment, not a human leader, to secure victory.
With Joshua, their great leader, now gone, the Israelites face a critical moment: the remaining Canaanites still occupy the land promised to them. They gather, seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim to know which tribe should bravely lead the charge against their enemies first. This decision sets the stage for the ensuing struggles and victories detailed in the early chapters of Judges.
Joshua, the mighty leader, is gone. The Promised Land is still full of enemies. How do the Israelites decide their next move? They ask the Lord, but how?
The verse tells us the people "inquired of the LORD." This wasn't a casual question. They sought God's direct guidance through the Urim and Thummim, a mysterious element used by the High Priest (likely Phinehas at this time). It was God's established way for the nation to receive His will when a prophet wasn't speaking directly. This highlights a crucial principle: even after military victories and the leadership of great figures like Joshua, the people were still dependent on God's wisdom for every step forward. They weren't left to their own strategy; they sought divine counsel for their campaign.
This practice shows:
Joshua, the conqueror and leader, has passed away. The transition leaves a vacuum. What is the very first thing the people do?
The book of Judges opens with a pivotal moment: the death of Joshua. For decades, he had been the undeniable leader, guiding Israel into the Promised Land and through major battles. His death signals the end of an era and the beginning of a new, uncertain one. The immediate response of the people is telling. Instead of fracturing or appointing a human general, they gather and ask, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?"
This reveals several things about this transition:
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.
Yehudah · Hebrew Proper Noun
The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, later becoming the leading tribe of Israel, the royal line, and the tribe from which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, descends.
The verse highlights a critical transition point for Israel, moving from divinely appointed, unified leadership under Joshua to a period where tribal initiative and continued reliance on God's guidance through the priesthood become essential for fulfilling their destiny in the land.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Conquer Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began the conquest of the land of Canaan, a process that involved numerous battles and the subjugation of various Canaanite city-states.
c. 1390 BC
Joshua Distributes Land
Following the conquest, the land of Canaan was divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel. However, not all the land was immediately occupied or fully subdued.
c. 1380 BC
Death of Joshua
Joshua, the long-time leader of Israel, dies after a distinguished career of leading the people through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. He was a pivotal figure in establishing Israel's presence in Canaan.
c. 1380 BC— this verse
Israel Inquires of the LORD
After Joshua's death, the Israelites, without a single national leader, seek divine guidance through the High Priest (likely Phinehas) using the Urim and Thummim to determine which tribe should lead the ongoing military efforts against the remaining Canaanites.
This passage immediately follows Joshua's conquest, highlighting that much land remained unconquered, setting the stage for the need to inquire about who would continue the fight after Joshua's death.
Numbers 27:21This verse describes the process of inquiring of the Lord through the High Priest and the Urim and Thummim for guidance in military matters, mirroring the exact method the Israelites used in Judges 1:1.
Deuteronomy 20:1This chapter provides God's commands and guidance for warfare, including how to proceed when initiating battles, which the Israelites in Judges 1:1 are seeking.
Judges 2:1-5This passage shows an angel of the Lord rebuking the Israelites for not fully obeying God's command to drive out the Canaanites, directly relating to the consequences of their actions (or inactions) that began after Joshua's death.
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…
Despite the initial mention of Joshua's death, the text highlights that the Israelites immediately turned to God for direction, seeking His guidance on who should lead the charge. This isn't just a procedural step; it underscores their dependence on divine appointment, not a human leader, to secure victory.
With Joshua, their great leader, now gone, the Israelites face a critical moment: the remaining Canaanites still occupy the land promised to them. They gather, seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim to know which tribe should bravely lead the charge against their enemies first. This decision sets the stage for the ensuing struggles and victories detailed in the early chapters of Judges.
With Joshua, their great leader, now gone, the Israelites face a critical moment: the remaining Canaanites still occupy the land promised to them. They gather, seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim to know which tribe should bravely lead the charge against their enemies first. This decision sets the stage for the ensuing struggles and victories detailed in the early chapters of Judges.
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c. 1380 BC - 1300 BC
Early Period of Judges
This period, following Joshua's death, is characterized by the Israelites' attempts to fully possess their inheritance and push back against the Canaanite holdouts, often with tribal initiatives rather than unified national campaigns.
"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?” The LORD said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.”" — Despite the initial mention of Joshua's death, the text highlights that the Israelites immediately turned to God for direction, seeking His guidance on who should lead the charge. This isn't just a…
