Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Judges
Book: Judges
Chapter: 1
Overview:
Proceedings of the tribes of
Judah and
Simeon.
(1-8) Hebron
and other cities taken.
(9-20) The proceedings of other tribes.
(21-36)
1-8 The Israelites were convinced that the
War against the
Canaanites was to be continued; but they were in doubt as to the
manner in which it was to be carried
On after the
Death of
Joshua. In these respects they inquired of the
Lord.
God
appoints service according to the strength he has given. From
those who are most able, most work is expected.
Judah was first
in dignity, and must be first in duty.
Judah's service will not
avail unless
God give success; but
God will not give the
success, unless
Judah applies to the service.
Judah was the most
considerable of all the tribes, and
Simeon the least; yet
Judah
begs
Simeon's friendship, and prays for aid from him. It becomes
Israelites to help one another against
Canaanites; and all
Christians, even those of different tribes, should strengthen
one another. Those who thus help one another in
Love, have
reason to
Hope that
God will graciously help both. Adoni-
Bezek
was taken prisoner. This
Prince had been a severe tyrant. The
Israelites, doubtless under the Divine direction, made him
suffer what he had done to others; and his own
Conscience
confessed that he was justly treated as he had treated others.
Thus the righteous
God sometimes, in his
Providence, makes the
Punishment answer the
Sin.
9-20 The
Canaanites had
Iron chariots; but
Israel had
God On
their side, whose chariots are
Thousands of angels, Ps 68:17.
Yet they suffered their fears to prevail against their
Faith.
About
Caleb we read in Jos 15:16-19. The
Kenites had settled
in the land.
Israel let them fix where they pleased, being a
quiet, contented people. They that molested none, were molested
By none. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
Earth.
21-36 The people of
Israel were very careless of their duty and
interest. Owing to slothfulness and cowardice, they would not be
at the pains to complete their conquests. It was also owing to
their
Covetousness: they were willing to let the
Canaanites live
among them, that they might make advantage of them. They had not
the dread and detestation of
Idolatry they ought to have had.
The same unbelief that kept their fathers forty years out of
Canaan, kept them now out of the full possession of it. Distrust
of the power and promise of
God deprived them of advantages, and
brought them into troubles. Thus many a believer who begins
Well
is hindered. His graces languish, his lusts revive,
Satan plies
him with suitable temptations, the world recovers its
Hold; he
brings guilt into his
Conscience, anguish into his
Heart,
discredit
On his character, and reproach
On the
Gospel. Though
he may have sharp rebukes, and be
So recovered that he does not
perish, yet he will have deeply to lament his folly through his
remaining days; and upon his dying
Bed to
Mourn over the
opportunities of glorifying
God and serving the
Church he has
lost. We can have
No Fellowship with the enemies of
God within
us or around us, but to our hurt; therefore our only
Wisdom is
to maintain unceasing
War against them.