The Israelites didn't ask for a general, but specifically for which tribe should go up first. This reveals their need for divine guidance not just in leadership, but in determining the order of their conquests, seeking a specific word from God to ignite their courage and strategic initiative.
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)
With Joshua gone, the Israelites face a new challenge: continuing their conquest of Canaan without their great leader. They gather at Shiloh to seek divine guidance, not for a new commander-in-chief, but for which tribe should spearhead the ongoing fight against the remaining Canaanite strongholds. This decision is crucial for maintaining momentum and encouraging the other tribes to claim their allotted lands.
Joshua, the mighty leader, is gone. The promised land is not fully conquered. Where do they turn for direction? It's a question many face when the familiar falls away.
A New Era Demands Divine Counsel
Joshua, who led Israel for so long, has died. This is a massive transition! Think about it – he was the guy, the successor to Moses, the conqueror of Canaan. Now he’s gone, and the nation faces a critical, unfinished task: conquering the rest of the land.
Instead of panicking or just winging it, the immediate response of the people is striking: "they inquired of the LORD." This isn't just a casual 'asking around.' They go to the central place of worship, Shiloh, and seek guidance through the High Priest, likely using the Urim and Thummim (a sacred lot device) for God’s direct answer. It shows a deep-seated recognition that even after such a monumental leader's death, their ultimate direction comes from God alone.
This highlights a crucial principle: when the ground shifts beneath our feet, our first move shouldn't be to find a new human hero, but to seek the face of God. He is the constant, the source of wisdom when leaders fall and challenges loom.
They didn't just ask if they should fight, but who should go up first. Why was that 'first' so important in their strategy?
Strategic Initiative and Tribal Honor
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The question, 'Who shall go up first against the Canaanites?' reveals more than just military strategy; it touches on tribal identity and divine mandate.
This focus on the 'first' shows a people wrestling with obedience, courage, and unity, all while dependent on God’s leadership.
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.
This verse highlights a critical moment of transition and reliance on God. With their primary military and spiritual leader, Joshua, gone, the Israelites don't seize control but immediately seek God's direction, showing their deep-seated (at this point) dependence on Him for guidance and success in the ongoing, unfinished task of claiming the land.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
Led by Joshua, the Israelites miraculously cross the Jordan River, marking their entry into the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's command, the Israelites initiate a series of military campaigns to conquer the land of Canaan, starting with Jericho and Ai.
c. 1390 BC
Allotment of Land by Tribe
After major military victories, the land of Canaan is systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, although full possession is not yet achieved.
c. 1370 BC
Death and Burial of Joshua
Joshua, the long-time leader of Israel, dies at the age of 110 and is buried in his allotted territory. His death marks a significant leadership transition.
c. 1370 BC— this verse
Israel Inquires of the Lord
Following Joshua's death, the people of Israel seek divine guidance through the High Priest (likely Phinehas) and the Urim and Thummim to determine which tribe will lead the ongoing fight against the remaining Canaanites.
c. 1370 BC - 1350 BC
Judah and Simeon Begin Their Campaigns
The tribe of Judah, with the support of Simeon, takes the initiative to fight and conquer their assigned territories, showing early steps toward fulfilling the conquest.
This passage describes how Joshua was commissioned by God to seek guidance through Eleazar the priest using the Urim and Thummim, similar to how the Israelites sought direction in Judges 1:1 after Joshua's death.
Joshua 14:13This verse shows Joshua giving Caleb a portion of the land, and Caleb then driving out the sons of Anak, demonstrating a similar initiative against the Canaanites that the tribes would later inquire about.
Deuteronomy 1:37-38God explicitly told Moses that Joshua would lead the people into the Promised Land, making the inquiry in Judges 1:1 a natural follow-up to understand who would now take the lead in the ongoing conquest after Joshua's passing.
Joshua 24:31This verse highlights that Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and the elders who outlived him, suggesting a continued obedience and reliance on God's guidance, which is echoed in the inquiry found in Judges 1:1.
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…
The Israelites didn't ask for a general, but specifically for which tribe should go up first. This reveals their need for divine guidance not just in leadership, but in determining the order of their conquests, seeking a specific word from God to ignite their courage and strategic initiative.
With Joshua gone, the Israelites face a new challenge: continuing their conquest of Canaan without their great leader. They gather at Shiloh to seek divine guidance, not for a new commander-in-chief, but for which tribe should spearhead the ongoing fight against the remaining Canaanite strongholds. This decision is crucial for maintaining momentum and encouraging the other tribes to claim their allotted lands.
With Joshua gone, the Israelites face a new challenge: continuing their conquest of Canaan without their great leader. They gather at Shiloh to seek divine guidance, not for a new commander-in-chief, but for which tribe should spearhead the ongoing fight against the remaining Canaanite strongholds. This decision is crucial for maintaining momentum and encouraging the other tribes to claim their allotted lands.
"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.”" — The Israelites didn't ask for a general, but specifically for which tribe should go up first. This reveals their need for divine guidance not just in leadership, but in determining the order of t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
