Judges 1:18

“Also Judah took Gaza, with the coast thereof, etc.] Which by lot fell to that tribe, (<061547>Joshua 15:47); it was not till now subdued: and Ashkelon with the coast thereof; which, according to our countryman Sandys f16, was ten miles from Gaza: and Ekron with the coast thereof; this also is the lot that fell to Judah, but was afterwards given to the tribe of Dan, (<061545>Joshua 15:45 19:43); for whom Judah now fought and took it; but in a short time all these places were retaken, and possessed by the Philistines, and were three of their five principalities which they ever after retained, (see <070303>Judges 3:3 <090616>1 Samuel 6:16).”

“It is remarkable that Ashdod is not here mentioned, as it is in Joshua 15:46-47, in conjunction with Gaza and Ekron; but that Askelon, which is not in the list of the cities of Judah at all, is named in its stead. (See Joshua 13:3 note.) It is a curious fact that when Rameses III took Askelon it was occupied, not by Philistines, but apparently by Hebrews. Rameses began to reign in 1269 B.C., and reigned 25 years. At any time between 1269 and 1244 B.C. such occupation of Askelon by Hebrews agrees with the Book of Judges. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Judah took - It is only said, they took the cities, and probably contented themselves with making them tributary; but it is not said that they slew the people, as they ought to have done; and as it is said of the other cities here. And the people being thus spared, did by God's just judgment recover their strength, and expel the Jews out of their cities. It is farther observable, that Ekron here taken, was one of Dan's cities, Jos 19:43, and it was taken here by Judah and Simeon, partly out of love for their brother Dan, and partly to secure their new conquests, and other adjoining territories, from such potent neighbours. Judges 1:19”

“Jos 11:22, Jos 13:3, Jos 15:45-47; Sa1 6:17 Also Judah: There is the following remarkable variation here in the Septuagint: Και ουκ εκληρονομησεν Ιουδας την Γαζαν, ουδε τα ορια αυτης; ουδε την Ασκαλωνα, ουδε τα ορια αυτης; και την Ακκαρων, ουδε τα ορια αυτης; την Αζωτον, ουδε τα περισπορια αυτης. "But Judah did not possess Gaza, nor the coasts thereof; nor Askelon, nor the coasts thereof; nor Ekron, nor the coasts thereof; nor Ashdod, nor the coasts thereof." Procopius and Augustine read the same; and Josephus (Ant. 1. v. c. 2 sec. 4) says that the Israelites only took Askelon and Ashdod, but not Gaza or Ekron; and from Jdg 3:3, and the whole succeeding history, it appears that these cities…”