was the first commissioner in this writ of partition; and by the decision of that lot, the southern country fell to Judah, and which we have an account of in this chapter, and the northern to Joseph, of which we have an account in the two following chapters. And when this was done, there was a more equal dividend (either in quantity or quality) of the remainder among the seven tribes. And this, probably, was intended in that general rule which was given concerning this partition, Numb. 33. 54, to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less, and every man's inheritance shall be where his lot falleth, that is, "Ye shall appoint two greater portions which shall be determined by lot to those more numerous tribes of Judah and Joseph, and then the rest shall be lesser portions to be allotted to the less numerous tribes." The former was done in Gilgal, the latter in Shiloh.
In these verses we have the borders of the lot of Judah, which as the rest, is said to be by their families, that is, with an eye to the number of their families. And it intimates that Joshua and Eleazar, and the rest of the commissioners, when they had by lot given each tribe its portion, did afterward (it is probable by lot likewise) subdivide those larger portions, and assign to each family its inheritance, and then to each household, which would be better done by this supreme authority, and be apt to give less disgust, than if it had been left to the inferior magistrates of each tribe to make that distribution. The borders of this tribe are here largely fixed, yet not unalterably, for a good deal of that which lies within these bounds was afterward assigned to the lots of Simeon and Dan.
1. The eastern border was all, and only, the salt sea, v. 5. Every sea is salt, but this was of an extraordinary and more than natural saltness, the effects of that fire and brimstone with which Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in Abraham's time, whose ruins lie buried in the bottom of this dead water, which never either was moved itself, or had any living thing in it.
2. The southern border was that of the land of Canaan in general as will appear by comparing v. 1··4. with Numb. 34. 3··5. So that this powerful and warlike tribe of Judah guarded the frontiers of the whole land, on that side which lay toward their old sworn enemies, (though their two fathers were twin-brethren,) the Edomites. Our Lord therefore, who sprang out of Judah, and whose the kingdom is, shall judge the mount of Esau, Obad. 21.
3. The northern border divided it from the lot of Benjamin. In this, mention is made of the stone of Bohan a Reubenite, v. 6. who, probably, was a great commander of those forces of Reuben that came over Jordan, and died in the camp at Gilgal, and was buried not far off under this stone. The valley of Achor likewise lies under this border, v. 7. to remind the men of Judah of the trouble which Achan, one of their tribe, gave to the congregation of Israel, that they might not be too much lifted up with their services. This northern line touched close upon Jerusalem, v. 8. so close as to include in the lot of this tribe, mount Zion and mount Moriah, though the greater part of the city lay in the lot of Benjamin.
4. The west border went near to the great sea at first, v. 12. but afterward the lot of the tribe of Dan took off a good part of Judah's lot on that side; for the lot was only to determine between Judah and Joseph, which should have the north, and which the south, and not immoveably to fix the border of either.
Judah's inheritance had its boundaries determined; though it was a powerful warlike tribe, and had a great interest in the other tribes, yet they must not therefore be left to their own choice, to enlarge their possessions at pleasure, but must live so as that their neighbours might live by them. Those that are placed high, yet must not think to be placed alone in the midst of the earth.
13. And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. 14. And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15. And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher. 16. And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 17. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. 18. And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? 19. Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
The historian seems pleased with every occasion to make mention of Caleb, and to do him honour, because he had honoured God in following him fully. The grant Joshua made him of the mountain of Hebron for his inheritance is here repeated, v. 13. And it is said to be given him, 1. According to the command of the Lord to Joshua. Though Caleb, in his petition, had made out a very good title to it by promise, yet because God had ordered Joshua to divide the land by lot, he would not in this one single instance, no not to gratify his old friend Caleb, do otherwise, without orders from God, whose oracle, it is probable, he consulted upon this occasion. In every doubtful case it is very desirable to know the mind of God, and to see the way of our duty plain. 2. It is said to be a part among the children of Judah; though it was assigned him before the lot of the tribe came up, yet it proved, God so directing the lot, to be in the heart of that tribe, which was graciously ordered in kindness to him, that he might not be as one separated from his brethren, and surrounded by those of other tribes.
Now Caleb having obtained this grant, we are told,
I. How he signalized his own valour in the conquest of Hebron, v. 14. He drove thence the three sons of Anak; he and those that he engaged to assist him in this service. This is mentioned here, to show that the confidence he had expressed of success in this affair through the presence of God with him, ch. 14. 12. did not deceive him, but the event answered his expectation. It is not said that he slew these giants, but he drove them thence, which intimates that they retired upon his approach, and fled before him; the strength and stature of their bodies could not keep up the courage of their minds, but, with the countenances of lions, they had the hearts of trembling hares. Thus does God often cut off the spirit of princes, Ps. 76, 12. take away the heart of the chief of the people, Job 12, 24. and so shame
