John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it , etc.] Which accounted for their carrying Adonibezek thither. This they had done in the times of Joshua; for when the king of that place was taken and slain by Joshua, it seems that he and Israel went and fought against the city, and took that in which the tribe of Judah had a principal concern; so Kimchi and Ben Gersom interpret it; but Jarchi and Abarbinel are of opinion, that now from Bezek they went up to Jerusalem, and fought against it, and took it; and so others think, because only the children of Judah are mentioned, and not all Israel, who fought together in Joshua’s time; nor is there any mention made of its being taken in his time, and yet it seems plain that it was inhabited in part by the children of Judah, ( Joshua 15:63); some therefore have thought that it was twice taken; that after Joshua had taken it, he and the children of Israel being employed in making conquests in other parts of the land, the Jebusites repossessed it, from whence they were now again in part driven, not wholly; and Josephus says f10 , the lower part was taken, and all the inhabitants killed, but the upper part was hard to be taken, because of the strength of the walls, and the nature of the place: and smitten it with the edge of the sword ; the “inhabitants of it”, so far as they got possession of it: and set the city on fire ; some part of it only, for in some part of it dwelt the children of Judah, and in another part the Jebusites.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - The Israelites were convinced that the war against the Canaanites wa to be continued; but they were in doubt as to the manner in which it was to be carried on after the death of Joshua. In these respects the inquired of the Lord. God appoints service according to the strength he has given. From those who are most able, most work is expected. Juda was first in dignity, and must be first in duty. Judah's service wil not avail unless God give success; but God will not give the success unless Judah applies to the service. Judah was the most considerable of all the tribes, and Simeon the least; yet Judah begs Simeon' friendship, and prays for aid from him. It becomes Israelites to hel one another against Canaanites; and all Christians, even those of different tribes, should strengthen one another. Those who thus hel one another in love, have reason to hope that God will graciously hel both. Adoni-bezek was taken prisoner. This prince had been a sever tyrant. The Israelites, doubtless under the Divine direction, made his suffer what he had done to others; and his own conscience confesse that he was justly treated as he had treated others. Thus the righteou God sometimes, in his providence, makes the punishment answer the sin.
Original Hebrew וילחמו3898 בני1121 יהודה3063 בירושׁלם3389 וילכדו3920 אותה853 ויכוה5221 לפי6310 חרב2719 ואת853 העיר5892 שׁלחו7971 באשׁ׃784
