Joshua 15:16

“And Caleb said, he that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, etc.] Which he ordered to be proclaimed through the army that was under his command; and which was done not so much on the account of the difficulty of taking the place, through the number of the inhabitants of it, and its fortifications, which it seems had fallen again into the hands of the Canaanites, since it was taken by Joshua; nor through inactivity, diffidence, and timorousness in himself; but that others, who were officers, and men of valour under him, might gather some laurels as well as himself; and chiefly being under a divine impulse, he ordered this declaration to be made, whereby his brother Othniel, who was to be a…”

“OTHNIEL, FOR HIS VALOR, HAS ACHSAH TO WIFE. (Jos 15:16-20) He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher--This offer was made as an incentive to youthful bravery (see on Sa1 17:25); and the prize was won by Othniel, Caleb's younger brother (Jdg 1:13; Jdg 3:9). This was the occasion of drawing out the latent energies of him who was destined to be the first judge in Israel.”

“To wife - Which is to be understood with some conditions, as, if he were one who could marry her by God's law; and if she were willing; for though parents had a great power over their children, they could not force them to marry any person against their own wills. He might otherwise be an unfit and unworthy person; but this was a divine impulse, that Othniel's valour might be more manifest, and so the way prepared for his future government of the people, Jdg 3:9. Joshua 15:18”

“15:16 Cp. 1 Sam 17:25; 18:27.”

“Jdg 1:6, Jdg 1:12, Jdg 1:13 Joshua 15:17”