2 And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.

3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

4 And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.

5 And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

6 But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.

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7 And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having 'their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

8 Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

9 ¶ And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.

10 And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba: ) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.

11 And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher:

12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's

younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

14 And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?

15 And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

16 And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

17 And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

18 Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.

19 And the LORD was with Judah; and 'he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.

20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.

21 And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. 22¶ And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Beth-el: and the LORD was with them.

23 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Beth-el. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)

24 And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

25 And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.

26 And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.

27¶Neither did Manasseh drive out the

inhabitants of Beth-shean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.

29¶ Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

30 ¶ Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.

31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:

32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.

33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became tributaries unto them.

34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:

35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph "prevailed, so that they became tributaries.

36 And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

(1) Heb. the thumbs of their hands | (3) Or, low country, and of their feet. (4) Or, he possessed the mountain. (2) Or, gleaned. (5) Heb. was heavy. (6) Or, Maaleh-akrabbim.

WE enter now upon another portion of what may be termed the historical part of the sacred volume. It begins with the records of the nation under their Judges, after the death of Joshua, before there was any king in Israel, and it embraces a period of several hundred years. Like every other part of the Word of God, this also is written for our instruction, and is able to make us wise unto salvation, through the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord. That truth is the great key to open the inspired Word. That truth is the great object always to be kept in view, in every part of Scripture brought under our notice.

The whole land had been conquered and distributed by Joshua among the several tribes; but they had not all taken full possession of their inheritance. Joshua had rebuked them for their slackness; and it should seem, that after his death, there was much to be done in this respect. Hitherto the children of Reuben had been foremost in the war. Now they were without a guide, and they enquired of the Lord. It may always be regarded as a hopeful symptom, when people shake off their slothfulness, and begin to be active and diligent in the work and ways of the Lord. Still more hopeful is it, when they begin to enquire of the Lord: "Those that seek me early shall find me." (Prov. viii. 17.) It was a difficult time with these people. They saw there was much to be done; but they did not know how to begin. "Who shall go up for us?" (v. 1.) That prayer the Lord answered, and told them what to do. In every undertaking, your first step should be to seek the Lord's direction and blessing, and then you may expect to prosper and succeed. Thus you find Judah succeeding wherever they went, because they sought the Lord, and the Lord was with them. Do you ask why you meet with so many disappointments? Let me ask, Have you sought the Lord? Is the Lord with you? (Prov. iii. 6.)

Here

See the cruelty of these kings of Canaan, and how the Lord returns upon the head of the wicked their evil ways and works. is one man, who had made it his boast that seventy kings, with their thumbs and great toes cut off, were reduced by him to the mean and servile condition of gathering their meat under his table (v. 7). What a cruel and bloody tyrant must he have been! Now, how did God deal with him? Exactly as he had done to others. "As I have done, so God hath requited me" (v. 7). Alas! are not the dark places of the earth "full of the habitations of cruelty?" (Ps. lxxiv. 20.) You may always observe that idolatry and superstition are invariably attended by cruelty and sin. What a blessing, then, is the gospel, which civilises and sanctifies men; and teaches them, from the kindness and love of God our Saviour, to be kind and merciful one towards another. Mark, likewise, the retributive order of the divine justice. It is an inva

riable law of heaven, that God will deal with men according to their works (Rom. ii. 6); and sometimes in kind, even to the very letter, as in the case of this cruel man. This he confessed; and hereafter, we are told, when all the vials of divine wrath are poured out on the head of the wicked, they will be constrained to acknowledge, "Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments." (Rev. xvi. 7.)

But, amidst all these successful expeditions, you ought not to pass over an evident fault, of which all the tribes seem to have been guilty we mean, their not "driving out the Canaanites" as the Lord commanded, but suffering them to remain among them, contrary to the Lord's express word. This was the root of their subsequent calamities; and for this negligence and sin they suffered severely afterwards. Is not this a loud warning to all? Your own evil propensities and sinful corruptions are, to your soul, what these Canaanites were to Israel. If they are not subdued, they will greatly vex and trouble

you.

If you spare them, or allow their continuance, or yield to their pleas, many and sore will be the corrections and chastisements which you will certainly receive. Oh! then, let the flesh be crucified with its affections and lusts. (Gal. v. 24.)

CHAPTER II.

1 An angel rebuketh the people at Bochim. 6 The wickedness of the new generation after Joshua. 14 God's anger and pity towards them. 20 The Canaanites are left to prove Israel.

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ND an 'angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

4 And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

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5 And they called the name of that place Bochim and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.

6¶ And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.

7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that 'outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.

8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.

10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

11 ¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

14¶ And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them and they were greatly distressed. 16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

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17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did

not so.

18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

THERE is no truth more plainly declared in Scripture than this; namely, that departures from God will surely be visited with the tokens of his displeasure: though he may pardon the offenders, he will punish their sin. "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; then will I visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes." (Ps. lxxxix. 30, 32.) This applies as much to nations professing the true worship of God, as to individuals possessing the blessings of his grace and salvation; and, in the one we may often see how God will deal with the other. The safest course, and the surest way is, always to live near to God, and to keep close to the truth of his word.

From the negligent disobedience of the people recorded in the last chapter, we might soon expect to hear of rebukes and frowns. Here they came. An angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and rebuked them for their disobedience. He also plainly told them, that, because of these things, the Lord would not be with them; but those people would be as thorns in their sides, and their gods would be a snare unto them (v. 1-3). | What was the effect of this message? The people mourned and grieved; they lifted up

their voice, and wept (v. 4). So far well. Will not sin always call for rebukes? Can you prosper in evil ways? Will the Lord wink at your sinful doings? Will he be with you, if you forsake him? Can you enjoy his favour, or realise his presence, or experience his love, while you provoke his displeasure? Have you not often lost the comfortable sense of these blessings by your sins? Can you expect to regain them, till you repent of your doings, and come again. to Christ for pardon and peace? How do you feel under these rebukes? These people wept and mourned. Are you heartily sorry for your offences? Do you earnestly cry for mercy and forgiveness? (Hos. vi. 1; and xiv. 2.)

Alas! how sad is the contrast here drawn! All the days of Joshua the people served the Lord; all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, they continued to do the same (v. 7); but after that there arose a generation that knew not the Lord, nor yet the works that he had done for Israel (v. 10). How evident is this truth, that grace is personal, and not hereditary! The piety of one generation is no security for the piety of another. They who are the children of God, are not so by birth or blood, nor by the will of man; they are born of God. This must never be forgotten; you should always look for a blessing from above, and always be sowing the seed for a future harvest. (John i. 12, 13.)

Where the heart is not sound, the proof will, sooner or later, appear. These people wept and grieved, but they were not changed; they were alarmed, but not converted; they grieved to think what might become of them if the Lord were not with them, but they soon forsook him, and turned after other gods (v. 12). Such is man. The natural propensity of the heart is to depart from the Lord. Whatever appearances there may be of contrition or amendment, if the heart be not sound, all, sooner or later, will come to nought. How many professed disciples of Jesus turned away! How fearfully did Simon shew that his heart was not right in the sight of God! Think of this, and pray the Lord to put a right spirit within you. (John vi. 60–66; Acts viii. 18-21.)

One symptom of such an awful state is,

dislike of being reproved. The Lord warned these people of their evil ways, but they would not hearken; "they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so" (v. 17). How do you feel when reproved? Are you angry? Are you displeased? Are you resolved not to hearken? Nothing can be more dangerous than such a disposition. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Prov. xxix. 1.) Cherish a teachable mind; pray for an obedient spirit; entreat the Lord to preserve you from all evil, and to keep you steadfast in his ways.

4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

5 ¶ And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:

6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

8¶ Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of 'Mesopotamia and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years.

9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a 'deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered

11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.

14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

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15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.

17 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab and Eglon was a very fat man.

18 And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.

19 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.

20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:

22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and 'the dirt came out.

23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.

24 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.

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