Judges 1:8-21
The Land They Did Not Dispossess
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8Then the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire.
9Afterward, the men of Judah marched down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, in the Negev, and in the foothills.
10Judah also marched against the Canaanites who were living in Hebron (formerly known as Kiriath-arba), and they struck down Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
11From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).
12And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”
13So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
14One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”
15“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.
16Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people.
17Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah.
18And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.
19The LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had chariots of iron.
20Just as Moses had promised, Judah gave Hebron to Caleb, who drove out the descendants of the three sons of Anak.
21The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Judah's campaign includes victories and land still outside its control. Jerusalem is captured and burned. At Hebron, Judah defeats the descendants of Anak. Othniel captures Debir and marries Caleb's daughter Acsah, as Caleb had promised.
Acsah then asks her father for springs of water to accompany the land she has received in the Negev. Caleb gives her the upper and lower springs. Amid the battles and place names, this request brings us close to everyday life: a family receiving land will also need water to live there.
The account continues with the Kenites settling among the people of Judah and with Judah and Simeon fighting together. Yet victory is not the whole picture. The LORD is with Judah, and Judah takes the hill country, but cannot drive out the people of the plains, who have iron chariots. Benjamin does not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem.
The writer reports those limits alongside the victories. We should let both stand. Capturing cities and receiving an inheritance do not mean that everything in the land has been settled.
Questions
1 What does Othniel do, and what does Acsah later request?
AnswerOthniel captures Debir and marries Acsah. She asks Caleb for springs to accompany her land, and he gives her the upper and lower springs.
2 What difficulty does Judah face in the plains?
AnswerThe people there have iron chariots, and Judah cannot drive them out. Judah’s success in the hill country does not extend everywhere.
3 Which tribe does not drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem?
AnswerBenjamin does not drive them out. The passage names Benjamin here, after describing Judah’s earlier capture of the city.
4 What can we learn from Acsah’s practical request?
AnswerReceiving a responsibility may also mean asking for what we need to carry it out. Asking clearly for help, tools, or time can be a sensible next step.
What This Means for Us
Acsah does not leave her need unspoken. She asks for water, and Caleb responds generously. When someone in the family takes on a new responsibility, talk about what would help them do it well. A child learning a task may need patient instruction; someone caring for others may need a regular break. Practical provision matters.
Prayer
Father, help us notice what others need to carry their responsibilities. Give us the confidence to ask clearly and the generosity to respond with useful help. Amen.
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