They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz),
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 sent to descry Bethel,.... To reconnoitre the place, to observe its passes and avenues, which were most accessible, and to examine the walls of it, where they were weakest and least defended: now the name of the city before was Luz; which signifies a "nut"; perhaps it was so called from large numbers of nut trees which grew near it...
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