Judges 1:1

And it came to pass after the death of Joshua The events which follow belong, however, to the life-time of Joshua and to the period covered by Joshua 9-12; moreover, the death of Joshua is recorded in chap. Judges 2:6-10, in due sequel to Joshua 24:28. As referring to what immediately follows the words are therefore incorrect; but taking them in connexion with the entire Book they have a certain fitness, for the death of Joshua may be regarded as marking the division between the period of conquest and the period of occupation. In the same way the Book of Joshua opens with the death of Moses, Joshua 1:1 a. The sentence is an editorial addition.

asked of the Lord most likely at the sanctuary, through the medium of the priest; cf. Judges 18:5 1 Samuel 22:10; 1 Samuel 22:13; 1 Samuel 22:15 etc. The ephod and the Urim and Thummim came into use on such occasions; the divine response was conveyed as a priestly oracle. See Judges 17:3; Judges 18:5; 1 Samuel 14:18 (RVm.), 41 (LXX), 1 Samuel 23:9 ff., Deuteronomy 33:8; and Driver, Exodus, p. 312 f.

go up From Gilgal, 800 ft. below sea-level, the march into the Southern Highlands (2500 to 3600 ft. above the sea) was a continuous ascent. The verb may be used, however, in a general sense, of a military expedition, 2 Samuel 5:19; Isaiah 7:6.

first of time, cf. Judges 10:18; not firstin order or rank.

the Canaanites The Jehovist's name for the various tribes of Palestine; the Elohist calls them -Amorites," cf. Judges 1:34. If the Canaanites had been extirpated in the manner described in the Book of Joshua there would have been no need to attack them again.