INTRODUCTION: Joshua has died. But unlike the case of Moses, there is no strong leader to take Joshua’s place. The bulk of the land was conquered, but many pockets of the Canaanites remained. The Israelites begin well by inquiring of the Lord and taking some of these pockets. But they soon get mired down in the difficulties of full conquest. How often do Christians fall short of full victory and then return to the ways of the world! The book of Judges has many warnings for us.

1. THE CONQUEST OF ADONIBEZEK (Judges 1:1-8 [1] Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? [2] And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. [3] And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him. [4] And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. [5] And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. [6] But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. [7] And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died. [8] Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
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1. Judah Conquers Bezek (Judges 1:1-4 [1] Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? [2] And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. [3] And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him. [4] And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.
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1. The children of Israel inquire of the Lord (Judges 1:1Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
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1. This is a time of great opportunity for the children of Israel.
2. This could have returned the people to the will of the Lord as found in Exodus 19:16-17 [16] And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. [17] And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
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2. The Lord chooses Judah to go up (Judges 1:2And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
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3. Judah requests the help of Simeon in exchange for Judah’s help in conquering  Simeon’s land (Judges 1:3And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
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4. The Lord delivers the enemy into their hands (Judges 1:4And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.
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1. The Canaanites and Perizzites are delivered into their hand.
2. They slay 10,000 men in Bezek.
2. Judah Takes Adonibezek Captive (Judges 1:5-8 [5] And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. [6] But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. [7] And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died. [8] Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
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1. Adonibezek (lord of Bezek) flees the battlefield (Judges 1:5-6 [5] And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. [6] But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
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2. They catch him and cut off his great toes and thumbs (Judges 1:6But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
   See All...b).
3. Adonibezek admits that his punishment is just (Judges 1:7And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
   See All...; Leviticus 24:19-20 [19] And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; [20] Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 15:33And Samuel said, As the sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
   See All...; Matthew 7:1-2 [1] Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
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1. Adonibezek had done this to seventy kings who now gathered their meat under his table.
2. He sees his defeat as the working of God.
3. He is moved to Jerusalem where he dies.
4. Jerusalem is taken by Judah (Judges 1:8Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
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5. NOTE: Joshua had conquered the king of Jerusalem, but not the city (Joshua 12:10The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
   See All...). The tribe of Judah conquers the city (Judges 1:8Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
   See All...), but only part of it since the Jebusites remain there (Judges 1:21And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
   See All...; Judges 19:10-11 [10] But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him. [11] And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
   See All...).  It is not until the time of David that the entire city is taken (2 Samuel 5:6-9 [6] And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. [7] Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. [8] And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. [9] So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
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2. THE MARRIAGE OF OTHNIEL AND ACHSAH (Judges 1:9-15 [9] And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley. [10] And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai. [11] And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher: [12] And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. [13] And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. [14] And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou? [15] And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
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1. The Battle Continues (Judges 1:9-13 [9] And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley. [10] And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai. [11] And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher: [12] And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. [13] And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
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1. Judah goes down to fight against the Canaanites that dwell in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley (Judges 1:9And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.
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2. Judah fights against the Canaanites of Hebron (Judges 1:10And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
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1. Also called Kirjath-arba
2. They slay Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
3. Judah fights against the Canaanites in Debir (Judges 1:11-13 [11] And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher: [12] And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. [13] And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
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1. The place was also called Kirjath-sepher (Judges 1:11And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:
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2. Caleb offers his daughter to the victor over Kirjath-sepher (Judges 1:12And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
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3. Othniel takes the city (Judges 1:13And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
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1. Othniel is the son of Kenaz which is Caleb’s younger brother.
2. Othniel is given Achsah to wife.
2. Achsah Gains a Double Blessing (Judges 1:14-15 [14] And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou? [15] And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
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1. Achsah moves her husband to ask Caleb for a field (Judges 1:14And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?
   See All...a).
2. Achsah asks her father for a spring to go with the land (Judges 1:14And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?
   See All...b-15a).
3. Caleb gives Achsah both the upper and the lower springs (Judges 1:15And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
   See All...b).
4. Note: The field and the spring are separate requests that were made of Caleb. Achsah convinced Othniel to ask for the field, but she asked for the spring.
3. The Lesson of Achsah’s Faith
1. The weakness of Achsah
1. She was a woman.
2. Her name means anklet as in a ring of gold, silver or ivory worn around the ankles. She was considered something pretty to look at but not very important.
3. She was given to Othniel as a battlefield prize – not  a very flattering appraisal of her authority.
2. The boldness of Achsah (see Ephesians 3:12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
   See All...; Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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1. In moving her husband to ask for a field
2. In approaching her father for the spring
3. The reward of Achsah
1. She received the field her husband requested.
2. She received the spring she requested.
3. She received an additional spring, receiving more than she asked (Jeremiah 33:3Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
   See All...; Ephesians 3:20-21 [20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, [21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
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3. THE REMAINING INHABITANTS OF THE LAND (Judges 1:16-36 [16] And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people. [17] And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. [18] Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof. [19] And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. [20] And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak. [21] And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. [22] And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. [23] And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) [24] And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy. [25] And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family. [26] And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day. [27] Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. [28] And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. [29] Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. [30] Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. [31] Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: [32] But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out. [33] Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. [34] And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: [35] But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. [36] And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
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1. A Halt in the Conquest of the Land (Judges 1:16-21 [16] And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people. [17] And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. [18] Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof. [19] And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. [20] And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak. [21] And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
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1. The Kenites claim their land (Judges 1:16And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
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1. The Kenites are the offspring of Moses’ father-in-law.
2. They go into the wilderness of Judah.
3. They go and dwell among the people.
2. Judah fights along side of Simeon (Judges 1:17And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.
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1. They slay the Canaanites that inhabit Zephath.
2. The name of the city is called Hormah.
3. More work for Judah (Judges 1:18-20 [18] Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof. [19] And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. [20] And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
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1. Judah takes Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron (Judges 1:18Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.
   See All...).
2. Judah cannot drive out the inhabitants of the valley (Judges 1:19And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
   See All...).
3. Hebron is given to Caleb (Judges 1:20And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
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4. The failure of Benjamin (Judges 1:21And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
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1. They do not drive out the Jebusites.
2. The Jebusites and the Benjamites dwell together.
2. The Taking of Bethel by the House of Joseph (Judges 1:22-26 [22] And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. [23] And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) [24] And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy. [25] And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family. [26] And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.
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1. The battle plans of Joseph (Judges 1:22-23 [22] And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. [23] And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)
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1. Their plans had the Lord’s approval (Judges 1:22And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
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2. The house of Joseph planned to go up against Bethel (Judges 1:22And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
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1. The name Bethel means house of God .
2. The name of the city had been Luz (Judges 1:23And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)
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3. This was changed at least in part by Jacob (Genesis 28:16-19 [16] And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. [17] And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. [18] And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. [19] And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
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3. The house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel (Judges 1:23And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)
   See All...).
1. Many, if not all, of the modern versions change this to spy out .
2. This, however, is something different.
3. To descry something means to see something from without.
4. This is further evidenced as their intention because:
1. They did not see the man until he came out of the city (Judges 1:24And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
   See All...).
2. They asked the man where the entrance to the city was (Judges 1:24And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
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3. They did not go into the city to spy; they merely wanted to do research from without and then they would attack (Judges 1:25And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.
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2. The man from Luz (Judges 1:24-25 [24] And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy. [25] And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.
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1. The spies saw the man as he came out of the city (Judges 1:24And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
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2. The spies asked of the entrance into the city (Judges 1:24And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
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3. The spies offered mercy in exchange for the information (Judges 1:24And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
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4. The man showed the spies the entrance (Judges 1:25And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.
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5. The house of Joseph smote the city with the edge of the sword (Judges 1:25And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.
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6. The man and his family were given freedom (Judges 1:25And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.
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3. The new life for the man from Luz (Judges 1:26And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.
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1. Settling in the land of the Hittites
1. They were to be driven out as well (Joshua 3:10And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
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2. They fought against Israel (Joshua 24:11And you went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.
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3. They were a stumbling block to righteousness (Judges 3:5-7 [5] And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: [6] And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. [7] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
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4. They are a picture of the flesh.
1. Solomon conquered (1 Kings 9:20-21 [20] And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, [21] Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.
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2. Solomon fell to (1 Kings 11:1-4 [1] But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: [2] Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. [3] And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. [4] For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
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2. The building of a city
1. He built a city and named it after the city that had been destroyed.
2. He named the city in a way as to remove the presence of God.
3. Their Failure to Complete the Conquest (Judges 1:27-36 [27] Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. [28] And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. [29] Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. [30] Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. [31] Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: [32] But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out. [33] Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. [34] And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: [35] But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. [36] And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
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1. The failure of Manasseh (Judges 1:27-28 [27] Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. [28] And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.
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1. Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddo (Judges 1:27Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
   See All...).
2. Instead, they began to put the people to tribute (Judges 1:28And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.
   See All...).
2. The failure of Ephraim (Judges 1:29Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
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1. Ephraim did not drive out the inhabitants of Gezer.
2. The Canaanites and the children of Israel dwelt in Gezer together.
3. The failure of Zebulun (Judges 1:30Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.
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1. Zebulun failed to drive out the inhabitants of Kitron and Nahalol.
2. Instead, the people dwelt among them and became tributaries.
4. The failure of Asher (Judges 1:31-32 [31] Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: [32] But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.
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1. Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Accho, Zidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob (Judges 1:31Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:
   See All...).
2. The Canaanites and Asherites dwelt together in the land (Judges 1:32But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.
   See All...).
5. The failure of Naphtali (Judges 1:33Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.
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1. Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath.
2. Instead, the people dwelt among them and became tributaries.
6. The failure of Dan (Judges 1:34-36 [34] And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: [35] But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. [36] And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
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1. Dan could not drive out the Amorites (Judges 1:34And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
   See All...).
2. Instead, the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley (Judges 1:34And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
   See All...).
3. The hand of the house of Joseph prevailed so that the Amorites became tributaries (Judges 1:35But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.
   See All...).
4. In the end the Amorites were still not driven out (Judges 1:36And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: Our Christian life is often compared to warfare. Even after the general conquest of the land, there were still battles to fight. The Israelites faced this problem and so do we. Are you going to do as the Israelites and settle for less than the best in your life for God? Or, are you going to keep fighting the battles and give Christ the preeminence in your life?