Judges 1:5

And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

And they found {H4672} Adonibezek {H137} in Bezek {H966}: and they fought {H3898} against him, and they slew {H5221} the Canaanites {H3669} and the Perizzites {H6522}.

They found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek; and they fought against him. They killed the Kena'ani and the P'rizi,

And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites.

And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek; and they fought against him, and they smote the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

Commentary

Judges 1:5 continues the narrative of Israel's post-Joshua conquest of the Promised Land, specifically detailing an engagement led by the tribe of Judah, aided by Simeon. This verse zeroes in on a significant victory against a prominent Canaanite king.

Context

Following the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel sought guidance from the Lord on who should lead the charge in dispossessing the remaining Canaanite inhabitants. The Lord designated Judah, and Judah, in turn, enlisted the help of their kinsmen, the tribe of Simeon (Judges 1:3). This verse describes their encounter with Adonibezek, the king of Bezek, a key stronghold. Their earlier success, where the Lord delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hand and they slew ten thousand men, set the stage for this specific confrontation (Judges 1:4).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Continued Obedience to the Conquest: Even after Joshua's death, the tribes, at least initially, continued the divine mandate to drive out the idolatrous nations from the land. This demonstrates a period of faithfulness in executing God's will.
  • Divine Empowerment: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the consistent success of Judah and Simeon against formidable foes implies the Lord's hand was with them, fulfilling His promise to fight for Israel (Deuteronomy 7:24).
  • Judgment on Wickedness: The Canaanites and Perizzites represented the corrupt cultures that God had determined to remove due to their egregious sins, including child sacrifice and gross immorality. Their defeat was an act of divine judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The name Adonibezek is significant. The prefix "Adoni" (Hebrew: สผฤ‚แธลnรฎ) means "my lord" or "lord of." Thus, "Adonibezek" literally means "Lord of Bezek." This title reflects his authority and prominence in the region, making his defeat a substantial victory for Israel. The mention of "Canaanites" and "Perizzites" highlights two of the numerous pagan tribes inhabiting the land of Canaan, emphasizing the diverse enemy Israel faced in their conquest.

Practical Application

Judges 1:5 serves as a reminder that spiritual battles often require persistent engagement. Just as Israel had to actively confront and overcome the inhabitants of the land, believers today are called to actively resist sin and evil influences. The victory over Adonibezek foreshadows the consequences of Adonibezek's cruelty, which he himself acknowledged, illustrating that "what goes around comes around" or the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7). This verse encourages us to continue fighting the good fight of faith, trusting in God's power for victory.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.

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