and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.”
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 spies saw a man come forth out of the city,.... Or "the keepers" (r); those that were sent to watch, and observe, and get what intelligence they could of the city, and the way into it: and they said unto him, show us, we pray, thee, the entrance into the city; not the gate or gates of it, which no doubt were visible...
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