What Does Judges 1:1 Mean?
Judges 1:1 describes how, after Joshua's death, the Israelites asked the Lord which tribe should lead the attack against the Canaanites. The Lord chose Judah, showing that they still sought His guidance at the start of their new chapter. This moment marks a turning point - Israel is entering the Promised Land in full, but now without Moses or Joshua to lead them.
Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?"
Key Facts
Book
Author
Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Genre
Narrative
Date
Approximately 1050 BC (estimated time of writing)
Key People
Key Themes
Key Takeaways
- Seeking God first honors Him and ensures His guidance.
- Leadership begins with dependence on God, not human strength.
- Obedience unlocks blessing, even amid ongoing challenges.
Context of Judges 1:1
After Joshua's death, Israel stands at a crossroads, needing new direction as they prepare to take full possession of the Promised Land.
The book of Judges opens with the people asking the Lord which tribe should lead the fight against the Canaanites, showing they still seek divine guidance at this pivotal moment. God answers clearly, telling them that Judah should go first, marking the beginning of a new phase in their journey.
This moment sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where we see both faith in action and the challenges Israel will face in fully claiming the land.
Why Judah Went First: Israel's Consultative Practice and the Canaanite Threat
Right after Joshua’s death, Israel’s first move was to seek God’s direction, showing a pattern of dependence on divine leadership rather than rushing into action on their own.
This act of inquiring of the Lord reflects a key cultural and spiritual practice in ancient Israel: major decisions, especially about war or leadership, were made only after seeking God’s will through prayer, prophets, or the priestly Urim and Thummim. The Canaanites, the people they were to fight, were political enemies and deeply entrenched idolatrous cultures that practiced child sacrifice and fertility rituals. God had warned these practices would corrupt Israel if left unchecked. By asking God who should go up first, Israel acknowledged that victory depended not on military strength but on divine favor.
They asked God who should lead - not out of doubt, but out of devotion.
God’s answer - 'Judah shall go up' - carries both practical and symbolic weight, as Judah was becoming the leading tribe, a role that would later culminate in kingship through David. This moment highlights Israel’s faith in following God’s order, even when the path ahead was uncertain, and sets a standard for how the tribes were meant to operate under God’s direct guidance.
The Lesson of Seeking God First
The simple act of asking God who should go up first reveals a heart that depends on Him, not on human strategy or strength.
This moment in Judges 1:1 echoes throughout Scripture, like in Jeremiah 4:23, where the prophet describes the earth as 'formless and empty' when people turn away from God - showing what happens when we act without His direction. Here, Israel begins right by seeking the Lord, reminding us that God honors those who invite Him into their plans.
They asked God what to do before they moved - not because they had all the answers, but because they trusted the One who did.
The takeaway is clear and timeless: before we charge into life’s battles, God wants us to pause and ask, 'What would You have us do?' It’s not about having perfect courage, but about trusting God enough to lead the way.
Seeking God’s Will: From Tribal Inquiry to Divine Leadership
The Israelites’ decision to inquire of the Lord before battle reflects a practice rooted in Moses’ covenantal instructions, where God established that His people were to seek His judgment in every major matter.
In Deuteronomy 17:8-13, Moses directed that difficult cases - especially those involving conflict or leadership - be brought before the priests and judges at the central sanctuary, so that God’s authority would be honored and His decisions obeyed by all. This early act in Judges 1:1 shows Israel following that standard, but it also highlights a tragic contrast with later failure, as seen in Judges 20:18, where they again inquire of the Lord - but this time before a civil war sparked by tribal disobedience and moral collapse.
They began with a question to God - and that simple act set them on a path toward His promises.
This pattern of seeking God points forward to Jesus, the ultimate Judge and Leader. Jesus reveals and completely fulfills the Father’s will. He invites us to follow Him, who is the way, the truth, and the life, instead of merely asking what to do.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
Imagine facing a big decision - changing jobs, moving cities, or dealing with a broken relationship. It’s easy to jump into research, advice, and planning without ever pausing to ask God what He thinks. That’s exactly what makes Judges 1:1 so powerful. When Joshua died, Israel didn’t appoint a new leader by committee or rely on the strongest tribe to take charge. They stopped and asked, 'Lord, who should go up first?' That simple act of seeking God before acting set them on a path of faith, not fear. It’s a reminder that real strength isn’t in having all the answers, but in trusting the One who does. When we make seeking God our first move, not our last resort, it changes how we handle stress, make choices, and live with purpose - even when we feel unsure.
Personal Reflection
- When was the last time I sought God’s direction before making a major decision - instead of after the fact?
- In what areas of my life am I relying on my own strength or strategy instead of asking, 'What would You have me do?'
- How might my daily routines change if I treated God as my first counselor, rather than only an emergency contact?
A Challenge For You
This week, before making any significant decision - even a small one like how to handle a conflict or how to spend your time - pause and pray: 'God, what would You have me do here?' Write down what comes to mind, and try to follow that leading. Also, pick one recurring choice in your day (like how you respond to stress or use your phone) and commit to seeking God’s wisdom on it each morning.
A Prayer of Response
God, thank You that You want to lead me, not leave me guessing. Forgive me for the times I’ve acted first and prayed later - as if I could handle life on my own. Help me to seek You first, like Israel did after Joshua’s death. Give me the humility to wait for Your direction, even when I’m eager to move. I trust that when I follow Your lead, I’m walking into Your strength, not my own.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Judges 1:2
The Lord answers Israel's inquiry by appointing Judah to lead, showing immediate divine response to their question.
Judges 1:3
Judah invites Simeon to join the campaign, illustrating tribal cooperation under God's appointed leadership.
Connections Across Scripture
Proverbs 3:5-6
Echoes the principle of seeking God's direction in all ways, just as Israel did in Judges 1:1.
Jeremiah 29:13
Reinforces that when we seek God wholeheartedly, we will find Him, as Israel did at this moment.
James 1:5
Encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, reflecting the same posture of inquiry seen in Judges 1:1.