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SERIES H --- THE JUDGES |
BIBLE STUDY LESSON 01
INCOMPLETE OBEDIENCE SEVENTY THUMBS AND SEVENTY TOES The attack against the Canaanites followed in this order: first the attack against the Canaanites in the hill country, the Negev and the plains near the sea; then the battle went against the Canaanites at Hebron, known previously as Kiriath-arba, where Sheshai, Ahinian and Talmai were defeated. The battle against Debir, formerly Kiriath-sepher, was next. It was at this time that Caleb made his strange offer: The man who captures Kiriath-sepher may marry my daughter Achsah, he said. And Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz, captured the city and married Achsah. After talking with her new husband about her father’s wedding gift, Achsah went to see Caleb. What would you like? Caleb asked as she got off her donkey. You have given me land in the wilderness of the Negev, Achsah said to her father. But we also need some springs of water to go with this land. Then Caleb gave his daughter both the upper and the lower springs of water. When some of the people of Judah had occupied the land south of Arad, in the wilderness country of the Negev, the Kenites, descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, left their homes in Jericho, The City of Palm Trees and went to live there with them. Later the people of Judah and Simeon joined in a campaign against the Canaanites in Zephath, killing all the people of the city. They renamed the city Hormah. The soldiers of Judah defeated the cities of Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron along with the surrounding territory. The Lord was with the forces of Judah, helping them to conquer the people of the hill country. But because of the iron chariots of the enemy, Judah could not conquer the people in the plains. Caleb was able to drive out the three sons of Anak from Hebron, but the people of Benjamin could not drive the Jebusites from Jerusalem. Therefore the Jebusites still live in Jerusalem with the people of Benjamin at the time this is written. Joseph’s descendants set out to conquer Bethel, which had previously been called Luz. When they approached the city, they sent spies, who captured a man from Bethel. Show us the way into the city and we will spare you, they said to their captive. To save his life, the man showed them the way into the city. They destroyed all of the people of Bethel, except for this man and his family. Later, the man moved his family into the land of the Hittites, which became Syria and founded a new city called Luz. The people of Manasseh never did drive out the Canaanites who lived in Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, Gezer and the territory around these cities. Years later however, Israel grew strong enough to force these Canaanites to work for them as slaves; but the Israelites and the Canaanites continued to live together in the land. The people of Zebulun never drove out the people of Kitron or Nahalol, but they too, later made them slaves. The people of Asher failed to drive out the people of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbab, Aplik and Rehob; but they lived in these cities with the Canaanites. Naphtali failed to drive out the people of Beth-shemesh or Beth-anath, but made them slaves instead. The Amorites forced the people of Dan to live in the hill country, refusing to let them live with them in the plains. But later, when the Amorites had occupied Har-heres, Aijalon and Shaalbim, the people of Joseph forced them to become their slaves. The Amorite border began at the ascent of Scorpion Pass, from Sela and upward. COMMENTARY THE CANAANITES TEST YOURSELVES 1.) What tribe did God send into the land first? 2.) Who helped the first tribe defeat their enemies? 3.) Which king said “I have done the same to seventy kings”? 4.) What was offered for the capture of Kiriath-sepher? 5.) Who drove the three sons of Anak out of Hebron?
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