And when Joshua had let the people go— This is an important passage, and by some interpreters misunderstood; they have fancied, that in it the historian continues the relation of what had happened since the death of Joshua: upon this foundation, Houbigant conceives that there is a transposition; and accordingly he begins this chapter with Judges 2:6-10, following them with Judges 2:1-5, and then goes on with Judges 2:11; an alteration, for which, says Mr. Chais, there appears no necessity: the series of the chapter evidently destroys the supposition above advanced. The sacred writer, having just related the reproaches delivered by the angel of the Lord against the Israelites, would now shew his readers how and when the nation had incurred those reproaches. To this end, he carries the matter as far back as possible; and first he ascends to that happy period when, Joshua having finished the division of the conquered country of the Canaanites, the Israelites went each to his inheritance and possessed it, and dwelt in the portion of the land which had fallen to his lot. This division was, in fact, the immediate work of Providence. Lots were cast before the Lord; he had presided over them, and, without doubt, Joshua, who had used such fine exhortations to the two tribes and a half beyond Jordan, when they set out to take possession of their territories, failed not strongly to recommend religion and obedience to the other tribes, on settling them in the lands which had been assigned to them; which he repeated before his death in the most affecting manner. See on Joshua 24. All of them therefore, equally instructed, and impressed with gratitude, had entered upon their estates with intentions promising a constant fidelity. But the love of this world seduced them: they soon thought only of their private interest, how to extend and aggrandize themselves; and, speedily losing sight of the public good, shamefully neglected the sacred duties of religion. To make this more clear, it would be better to read the beginning of the 6th verse thus: Now when Joshua had let, &c.
Related Commentaries of Judges 2:6
Judges 2:6-9
6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.
7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlivedc Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.
8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.