Judah Takes Lead Against Canaanites

Judges 1 (KJV)

After Joshua’s death, the Children of Israel asked the Lord, “Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them”? (v. 1).  The Lord answered, “Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand” (v. 2).  Judah had his brother, Simeon, to help him fight the Canaanites.  In return, Judah agreed to help Simeon in his fight against the Canaanites.

Ten thousand Canaanites and Perizzites were delivered into the hands of the brothers by the Lord in Bezek.  From Bezek, Judah went to Jerusalem  where the people had fought and taken the city.  Moving on to the mountain, south and valley of the Promised Land, Judah took the cities of Hebron, Debir, Hormah, Gaza, Askelon and Ekron.  Moses said for Hebron to be given to Caleb.  The people of the mountain were driven out, but the valley people were prevented from being driven out because of their iron chariots.

There were other inhabitants in the land who were not driven out by the tribes of Israel: Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites; Manasseh did not drive out the people of Bethshean, Taanach, Dor, Ilbeam and Megiddo or any of their towns; Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites of Gezer; Zebulun did not drive out the people of Kitron or Nahalol; Asher did not drive out the people of Accho, Zidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik or Rehob; Naphtali did not drive out the people of Beth-shemesh or Bethanath.  Israel did not drive the people out, but, in time, was strong enough to have them put to tribute.

The Children of Dan were forced into the mountain by the Amorites.  Yet, when the house of Joseph became stronger, the Amorites were put to tribute.