Judges 1:2

‘ And Yahweh said, “Judah shall go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand ” '

“And Yahweh said.” This would be through the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21). Questions would be phrased and then the Urim and Thummim used to obtain the answer ‘yes' or ‘no reply'. There is no example of a ‘no' answer from the Urim and Thummim anywhere, although it is possible that that also was obtainable. One suggestion is that each had one side with ‘yes on it and the other with ‘no' on it. When they were thrown down in the Tabernacle ‘before Yahweh', if two yeses came up the answer was ‘yes'. If two noes came up the answer was ‘no'. If one of each the answer was ‘no reply'.

“Judah shall go up.” This was not Judah in person, for he was long ago dead, but this meant the tribe of Judah. This way of speaking of the tribe as though it were a person is commonly found in the narrative (compare ‘Israel'). Judah was one of the most numerous and powerful tribes and destined to leadership in Israel (see Genesis 49:8).

“Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.” That is, the part which had been assigned to them, part of which still remained to be conquered. They were assured that Yahweh had already determined on their success. God was with them. Although always, of course, conditionally on obedience.