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actually made,^140 when Caleb offered the hand of his daughter, Achsah, as the prize of
taking the great stronghold of Debir, the ancient Kirjath-sepher, or "book-city," -
probably the fortified depository of the sacred books of the Anakim. The prize was won
by a near kinsman, Othniel,^141 who, after the death of Joshua, was the first "judge" of
Israel (Judges 3:9). The history of the campaign, with its accompanying incidents, is
inserted in Joshua 15:13-19, because, both geographically and historically, it fits into
that part of the description of the inheritance of Judah.^142
- The first signs of future weakness and disagreement appeared so early as when the lot
designated the possession of the children of Joseph (Ephraim and half the tribe of
Manasseh). Theirs was the richest and most fertile in the land, including the plain of
Sharon, capable of producing almost boundless store, and of becoming the granary of
the whole land. On that ground then no complaint could be made. Nor could any
reasonable objection be taken to the size of their lot,^143 provided they were prepared to
go forward in faith and occupy it as against the Canaanites, who still held the principal
towns in the valley, all the way from Bethshean by the Jordan to the plain of Jezreel and
farther. But the children of Joseph were apparently afraid of such encounter because of
the iron chariots of their enemies. Equally unwilling were they to clear the wooded
heights of Ephraim, which connect the range north of Samaria with Mount Carmel, and
where the Perizzites and the Rephaim had their haunts. Rather did they clamor for an
additional "portion" (17:14). Their demands were, of course, refused; Joshua turning the
boastful pride in which they had been made into an argument for action on their part
against the common enemy (ver.18).^144 But this murmuring of the children of Joseph,
and the spirit from which it proceeded, gave sad indications of dangers in the near
future. National disintegration, tribal jealousies, coupled with boast-fullness and
unwillingness to execute the work given them of God, were only too surely foreboded
in the conduct of the children of Joseph. - If such troubles were to be averted, it was high time to seek a revival of religion.
With that object in view, "the whole congregation of the children of Israel" were now
gathered at Shiloh, and the tabernacle set up there (18:1). The choice of Shiloh was, no
doubt, Divinely directed (Deuteronomy 12:11). It was specially suitable for the purpose,
not only from its central situation - about eight hours' north of Jerusalem, and five south
of Shechem - but from its name, which recalled rest^145 and the promised rest-giver
(Genesis 49:10). Then Joshua solemnly admonished the assembled people as to their
"slackness" in taking possession of the land which Jehovah had given them. To
terminate further jealousies, he asked the people to choose three representatives from
each of the seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been allotted. These were to "go
through the land and describe it," that is, to make a general estimate and valuation,
rather than an accurate survey, "with reference to their inheritance,"^146 that is, in view
of their inheriting the land. After their return to Shiloh these twenty-one delegates were
(^)