The centre of gravity, so to speak, already lay in Ephraim,
to which belonged Joshua and that is mentioned as the last
achievement of Joshua that at the waters of Merom he defeated
Jabin, king of Hazor, and the allied princes of Galilee, thereby
opening up the north for Israelitish settlers. It is quite what
we should expect that a great and united blow had to be struck
at the Canaanites of the north before the new comers could occupy
it in peace; and King Jabin, who reappears at a later date,
certainly does not suit the situation described in Judges iv. v.
*******
The Book of Joshua represents the conquest of western Palestine as
having been the common undertaking of all the tribes together,
which, after the original inhabitants have been extirpated, are
exhibited as laying the ownerless country at Joshua's feet in
order that he may divide it by lot amongst them. But this is a
"systematic" generalisation, contradicted by the facts which we
otherwise know. For we possess another account of the conquest of
Palestine, that of Judges i., which runs parallel with the Book of
Joshua. It is shorter indeed and more superficial, yet in its
entire mode of presenting the subject more historical.
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