The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel, and the LORD was with them.
We are here told upon what terms the rest of the tribes stood with the Canaanites that remained. I. Benjamin neglected to drive the Jebusites out of that part of the city of Jerusalem which fell to their lot, Jdg 1:21. Judah had set them a good example, and gained them great advantages by what they did (Jdg 1:9), but they did not follow the blow for want of resolution.
Commenting on Judges 1:21-36
And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel,.... Which lay upon the borders of the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, Jos 16:1; and though it seems to have been taken when Ai was, Jos 8:17; yet it appears that it was now in the possession of the Canaanites; wherefore the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh being desirous of enlarging their borders...
SOME CANAANITES LEFT. (Jdg 1:22-26) the house of Joseph--the tribe of Ephraim, as distinguished from Manasseh (Jdg 1:27).
Commenting on Judges 1:22-26