01: The Lord was faithful and drove them out (Judges 1:1 – 21)

Although Joshua had passed away, the Lord remained faithful to His promise to drive out the remaining Canaanites. The first chapter recounts both Israel's continuing conquests and their setbacks. The conquests and failures of the tribes in the southern kingdom (1:1-21) and the northern kingdom (1:22-36) are described separately.

πŸ‘‰ Read Judges 1:1 - 21


Q1. The Lord replied, “The men of (           ) should take the lead. Be (        ) of this! I am handing the land over to them.” They said to their relatives, the men of (           ), to go to battle with them. 

The Lord replied, “The men of ( Judah  ) should take the lead. Be ( sure  ) of this! I am handing the land over to them.” They said to their relatives, the men of ( Simeon  ), to go to battle with them.

Verses 1–3 reveal their reluctance to fight. They were supposed to attack the Canaanites rather than inquire of God who would lead. God had once again confirmed the promise of victory. However, Judah seemed to think Simeon could help them. 

On the other hand, this might demonstrate Judah's divinely appointed leadership in Israel. 



Q2. Find verses telling that the Lord helped them to conquer the land. (three or four)

Verse 4

Verse 7: Though Adoni-Bezek was a powerful monarch, the Lord handed him over to the men of Judah.

Verse 10: They conquered the land of Anakites (one of the giant peoples), Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. Verse 20 says they were the Anakites.

Verse 19



Q3. How did Othniel and Achsah get what they wanted?

Othniel courageously went out to conquer the city and won his wife. 

She asked her father for water springs, and he granted her request.

Caleb's courageous stand, as recorded in Joshua chapter 15, is once again highlighted in Judges chapter 1. Additionally, note that Judges 1:11-15 is identical to Joshua 15:15-19, illustrating the courageous and bold actions of Othniel and Achsah in faith.

You can also compare the victory in verses 4-8 to Joshua's victories during his southern campaign (Joshua chapter 10).

The author states, “Even though Joshua has died, the victories of his time are repeated today, for the Lord who granted Joshua victory is still alive.”



Q4. (16 – 18) Two other groups of people benefited from the men of Judah as the Lord blessed Judah. Who were they? 

The Kenites and the Simeonites.

Ekron was allotted to the tribe of Dan. 



Q5. Verse 19-21 is the summary of Judah’s conquest. (          ) was with the men of Judah. They conquered the (            ), but they (          ) not conquer the coastal plain. (           ) received Hebron as promised though it was the land of the (              ). However, the men of Benjamin (       ) not conquer the Jebusites living in (              ).

Verse 19-21 is the summary of Judah’s conquest. ( God ) was with the men of Judah. They conquered the ( hill country ), but they ( could ) not conquer the coastal plain. ( Caleb ) received Hebron as promised though it was the land of the ( Anakites ). However, the men of Benjamin ( did ) not conquer the Jebusites living in ( Jerusalem ).

Verse 19 could be translated this way. ‘Though they could not conquer the people in the coastal plain, they could conquer the hill country for the Lord was them.’

They all received the Lord’s promise but experienced different degrees of the Lord’s victory. The men of Judah followed the Lord reluctantly and reaped limited success. Although they wanted to drive out the Philistines in the coastal plain, they could not because they lacked the faith to risk their lives. In contrast, Caleb wholeheartedly trusted and followed the Lord, successfully driving out the Anakites. The men of Benjamin disobeyed the Lord by failing to attempt to drive out the Jebusites. The Lord desired the men of Judah to have the same faith as Caleb and proactively conquer the land. If they had done so, they could have conquered the coastal plain, despite facing the iron chariots. 





Although Joshua has died, the Lord's victories during his time continue to be evident in the following generations, as long as they walk in the faith of Joshua and Caleb.

Whose footsteps do you want to follow: active obedience, reluctant obedience, or disobedience?


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