Judges 1:1-7 meaning

Judges 1:1-7 introduces a new change in the people’s communication with God after the death of Joshua: Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?’ (v 1). This verse sets a tone of dependency on the Lord as the Israelites seek to understand His will for their upcoming conquest. The death of Joshua leaves a leadership vacuum, and the Israelites’ prayer to God demonstrates their recognition of the need for divine counsel in their efforts.

The Lord responds: “The Lord said, ‘Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand’” (v 2).

God gives a direct order for the tribe of Judah to lead the charge. This command reflects the tribe’s prominence and foreshadows its future role in the lineage of David and ultimately, the coming Messiah (Matthew 1:1-17). The assurance that He has given the land into Judah’s hand is a reaffirmation of the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:18-21, 26:3, 28:13.) However, as the following passages show, the forgetful Israelites will not cease their doubting and disobedience despite the Lord’s constant reassurance of His presence and promise.

Verses 3-4 describe how Judah takes action in response to God’s command. “Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, ‘Come up with me into the territory allotted me, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you.’  So Simeon went with him” (v 3). Judah and Simeon here are stand-ins for the tribes. The namesakes of these tribes died long ago in Egypt, but the personification of each tribe is described as being Judah speaking to his brother Simeon. This alliance between Judah and Simeon shows the collaboration needed among the tribes to secure the Promised Land together.

Their combined forces lead to a significant victory where the Lord gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands, and they defeated ten thousand men at Bezek (v 4). The victory is attributed directly to the Lord, proving that success in battle is contingent upon obedience to the Lord.

They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek and fought against him, and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes” (vv 5-6).

When Judah and Simeon rose up to defeat the Canaanites they met great success. However, the king in Bezek, Adoni-bezek, was able to flee. Yet, the tribes still made efforts to pursue him and ensure their defeat. These events show the determination of Judah and Simeon to fully carry out the word that was spoken to them by God. After they pursued him they caught him.

After capturing him, they cut off his thumbs and big toes (v 6). This was done to Adoni-bezek because he had the same to many others, which he acknowledges. Adoni-bezek reflects on his punishment, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me” (v 7). He understands the justice he received. He knows it is God who has repaid him.

The transport of Adoni-bezek to Jerusalem, where he eventually dies, not only serves as a conclusion to this battle narrative but also ties in the city's future significance in biblical history.

This first step into the narrative of Judges post-Joshua appears hopeful in their success and obedience to the Lord. However, the faithfulness of all of Israel will not prove consistent.