undertaking. But it was some time later that the expedition was 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

2. 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.

3. 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 rest145 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 to divide the land into seven portions, when the lot

would assign to each tribe the place of its inheritance.

4. The arrangement thus made was fully carried out.147 After its completion Joshua, who, like Caleb, had

received a special promise, was allowed to choose his own city within his tribal inheritance of Ephraim.  148

Finally, the cities of refuge, six in number; the Levitical cities, thirty-five in number; and the thirteen cities of

the priests,149 the sons of Aaron, were formally set aside.

Thus, so far as the Lord was concerned, He "gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their

fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And Jehovah gave them rest round about, according to all

that He sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; Jehovah

delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing Jehovah had spoken

unto the house of Israel; all came to pass" (Joshua 21:43-45).