1:1
The book starts off on quite an optimistic note (though it won’t last long!). Joshua had died, the conquest had not been completed, but Joshua had told them that they should complete the conquest. So they ask the Lord who should go up first to fight the Canaanites. They are seeking the Lord, and they are seeking to carry out the command to complete the conquest.
1:2,3
The Lord answers them that Judah should go, and He reminds them that He has given the land into their hands. Judah then ask the Simeonites to come up with them. Judah and Simeon had the same mother (Gen 29:33,35), and there was some overlap in their territories. Judah offers mutual help.
1:4-7
Judah attacks, and the Canaanites and Perizzites are given into their hands, because of the Lord. Many people were killed, and the king, Adoni-Bezek, was captured and they cut off his thumbs and big toes! This would mean that he could no longer fight in battle, though killing him would have achieved the same aim! 1:7 seems to provide the explanation for this action, it was judgement upon Adoni-Bezek for what he had done to many other kings. He was taken to Jerusalem and died there.
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