Judges 1:18

18 But Judah didn't manage to capture Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron with their territories.

Judges 1:18 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 1:18

Also Judah took Gaza, with the coast thereof
Which by lot fell to that tribe, ( Joshua 15:47 ) ; it was not till now subdued:

and Ashkelon with the coast thereof;
which, according to our countryman Sandys F17, was ten miles from Gaza:

and Ekron with the coast thereof;
this also is the lot that fell to Judah, but was afterwards given to the tribe of Dan, ( Joshua 15:45 ) ( 19:43 ) ; for whom Judah now fought and took it; but in a short time all these places were retaken, and possessed by the Philistines, and were three of their five principalities which they ever after retained, see ( Judges 3:3 ) ( 1 Samuel 6:16 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F17 Travels, p. 118. Ed. 5.

Judges 1:18 In-Context

16 The people of Hobab the Kenite, Moses' relative, went up with the people of Judah from the City of Palms to the wilderness of Judah at the descent of Arad. They settled down there with the Amalekites.
17 The people of Judah went with their kin the Simeonites and struck the Canaanites who lived in Zephath. They carried out the holy curse and named the city Curse-town.
18 But Judah didn't manage to capture Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron with their territories.
19 God was certainly with Judah in that they took over the hill country. But they couldn't oust the people on the plain because they had iron chariots.
20 They gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had directed. Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.