Judges 1:9-15
9 Afterward, the sons of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, and in the Negev, and in the lowland.
10 So Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (the name of Hebron was previously Kiriath-arba); and they struck Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
11 Then from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir (the name of Debir was previously Kiriath-sepher).
12 And Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him my daughter Achsah as a wife.”
13 Now Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, captured it; so he gave him his daughter Achsah as a wife.
14 Then it happened that when she came to him, she incited him to ask her father for a field. Then later, she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?”
15 She said to him, “Give me a blessing: since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me springs of water also.” So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
Othniel
The battle at the southwest region of Jerusalem
The record of the battles of the tribe of Judah is divided into three regions: (1) The battle in the central hill country from Jerusalem to Hebron. (2) The battle further south, in the wilderness of the Negev. (3) The battle in the Shephelah (the lowland) adjacent to the Philistine territory. Although it was Caleb who conquered the mountain city of Hebron (Josh. 15:13-14), he belonged to the tribe of Judah, so in this passage, it is recorded as if the tribe of Judah conquered it. At that time, Caleb was 85 years old, but he was still vigorous and acted with confidence. Let us pray to the Lord that we may be granted the faith and determination of Caleb. Let us pray especially, that even in the last days of our lives, we may still engage in meaningful work.
Caleb’s brother Othniel
Caleb seeks to capture the city of Debir and promises to give his daughter Achsah as a wife to whoever takes the city. Caleb’s younger brother Othniel (the first judge) fulfilled this promise and received Achsah as his wife. (1) Othniel then persuaded Achsah to ask her father for a field. (2) However, it seems that Achsah acted wisely in this matter. Debir was a city in the hill country, not a city in the Negev (the southern wilderness). However, it was a rugged region just like the Negev, so she said to her father, “You have given me the land of the Negev” (3) In the end, she approached her father Caleb and obtained two springs: the upper spring and the lower spring. This choice was far wiser than obtaining a field. Achsah demonstrated wiser judgment than her husband Othniel. No matter how fertile the land may be, without water, one cannot lead a prosperous life. Let us also seek abundant springs from the Lord. Let us seek both material blessings (the lower spring) and spiritual blessings (the upper spring). Are you seeking the most important things from our Heavenly Father and receiving them? Our Heavenly Father generously gives to those who ask. “[…] You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please give me a discerning eye so that I can decipher what is most important. Grant me the two springs. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.