In Joshua 15:16-19, Caleb gives his daughter Achsah to Othniel, because he smited Kirjath-sepher. Later, she lighted off her ass and asked for two springs from her father, which he gave her. Years later, in Judges 1:12-15, the exact same thing happened. Has no one proofed this book in the three thousand years since it’s been written? I understand when one chapter retells an earlier chapter’s story from a different angle, but this is crazy.

Is the description of the Jebusites not being driven out more duplication, or are the children of Benjamin just not very good warriors? And there are another half-dozen tribes that the Israelites were not able to drive out, even though the Lord promised them the land. He’s not known for keeping his word.

In Judges 2, we see just how bad a relationship the Lord and Israel have. It’s a cycle of violence. First the Jews start intermarrying, and worshiping other God’s, then the Lord punishes them by allowing their enemies to beat them, so the Jews distrust Him even more, and the cycle continues.

I think they just need to learn to live without each other.

Next: Judges 3-5.