This passage records the completion of the four-stage spiritual decline in Israel. This decline began in the earlier account of Judah, “where there is an absence of any statement concerning Canaanites living among Judah. Next, however, it is stated that the Canaanites live among the tribes of Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Zebulun (although Zebulun subjects them to forced labor). But then it is stated that the tribes of Asher and Naphtali live among the Canaanites (although Naphtali subjects them to forced labor). Finally, the Danites are oppressed…by the Amorites.”1 The author repeatedly notes Israel’s inability to drive out the inhabitants of various areas of the Promised Land (Judges 1:27–30).
22 The house of Joseph also went up against Bethel, and the LORD was with them.