Judges 1:1–21 sets the stage for the book. It focuses upon the primacy of Judah, which will appear again at the close of the book, as a lead into the story of the united monarchy. Judah, in response to divine guidance, takes the lead in obeying God’s command to possess the land and is for the most part successful. The themes of leadership, unity, and land are especially highlighted, along with an introduction of the theme of disobedience (sin), which will develop into a dominant theme in the rest of the book. Only at the end of the section is there any hint that Judah did not fully enter into their inheritance promised by the Lord. Since failure to do so represents disobedience, this opening section sets the tone for the entire story.

1:1–3 The book of Judges looks backward as well as for…