Judges 1:3
And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The historical relationship between Judah and Simeon was complex. Simeon's allotment within Judah's borders (Joshua 19:1-9) made them interdependent. Jacob's prophecy that Simeon and Levi would be "divided in Jacob, and scattered in Israel" (Genesis 49:7) found fulfillment as Simeon gradually absorbed into Judah, eventually losing distinct tribal identity. By David's census (2 Samuel 24), Simeon isn't separately enumerated. Archaeological evidence from the northern Negev (Simeon's primary territory) shows settlement patterns consistent with gradual integration into Judah. This tribal cooperation in Judges 1:3 thus represents both immediate military necessity and long-term assimilation. The cities listed in Joshua 19:2-6 as Simeonite—Beersheba, Ziklag, Hormah—later appear as Judahite cities in subsequent narratives.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Judah's invitation to Simeon model the biblical principle of stronger believers helping weaker ones in pursuing God's purposes?
- What does the cooperation between these tribes teach about balancing individual calling with corporate responsibility in the body of Christ?
- In what ways might your spiritual gifts or resources be used to help fellow believers possess their God-given 'inheritance' in sanctification and service?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
This verse demonstrates tribal cooperation rooted in kinship—Judah and Simeon were full brothers, both sons of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:33-35). The Hebrew achi (אָחִי, "my brother") emphasizes covenant and blood relationship, not mere political alliance. Judah's invitation "come up with me into my lot" (aleh itti beghorali, עֲלֵה אִתִּי בְגוֹרָלִי) uses ghoral (גּוֹרָל), meaning "lot" or "allotment"—the divinely assigned inheritance (Joshua 15:1, 19:1). This wasn't arbitrary territory but God-ordained possession requiring faith-filled obedience to claim.
The reciprocal promise "I likewise will go with thee into thy lot" reflects covenant faithfulness and mutual support. Interestingly, Simeon's tribal allotment was actually embedded within Judah's territory (Joshua 19:1, 9) because "the part of the children of Judah was too much for them." This geographical reality made military cooperation natural and necessary. The phrase "So Simeon went with him" demonstrates immediate obedience without recorded hesitation or negotiation—a model of brotherly unity in pursuing God's purposes.
From a Reformed perspective, this tribal cooperation foreshadows the New Testament church where believers are called to "bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). The body of Christ requires mutual support, with stronger members helping weaker ones (Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). However, the partnership must be for God's purposes—pursuing divinely assigned missions, not merely human agendas. Judah and Simeon's alliance succeeded because it aligned with God's command to possess the land He had given them.