After Joshua's death, Judah and Simeon lead the conquest, capturing Jerusalem, defeating Adoni-bezek who had cut off seventy kings' thumbs and big toes, and taking Hebron and Debir where Othniel wins Caleb's daughter Achsah by capturing Kiriath-sepher. The Kenites settle in the Negeb, and Judah captures Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron with their territories, though they cannot drive out the valley inhabitants because of iron chariots. The catalog of incomplete conquest continues: Benjamin fails against the Jebusites in Jerusalem; Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan all allow Canaanites to remain, some eventually pressing them into forced labor rather than driving them out.
Read Judges Chapter 1 Summary
Characters in This Chapter

Prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory over the Canaanites

Judge who defeated the Midianites with 300 men, demonstrating God's power

Nazirite judge with supernatural strength who fought the Philistines

Outcast who became judge and defeated the Ammonites

First High Priest of the Second Temple

Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ

The One Who Saw Salvation

Nephew of Abraham

Faithful Spy, Companion of Joshua

Prophet and Lawgiver

Youngest Son of Jacob

The One Who Buried Jesus

King of Judah who Repented
Places in This Chapter

The Promised Land where Israel settled but failed to completely drive out the inhabitants

Jerusalem is the holiest city in Judaism and Christianity, central to the biblical narrative. King David captured it and made it his capital, and his son Solomon built the First Temple there. It was the site of Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and the birth of the Christian church at Pentecost. The city has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history.

Hebron is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives are buried in the Cave of Machpelah here. David was anointed king of Judah in Hebron and ruled from there for seven years before moving the capital to Jerusalem.

The wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.
Position in Book
Israel's failure to drive out the Canaanites and the beginning of the cycle of apostasy.
Bible Bites
A left-handed hero the enemy never saw coming
The judge Ehud was left-handed, so he hid his sword on his right thigh, the side guards never checked (Judges 3:15-21). His 'weakness' became the very reason his surprise attack succeeded. The Bible loves an unlikely hero.
Judges 3:15-21


