An angel of the lord] RV 'the angel.' Cp. Judges 6:11; Judges 6:22; Judges 13:3; Judges 13:21, where it is plain (from Judges 6:14; Judges 6:16; Judges 13:22) that the angel is thought of as God Himself (see on Judges 6:14). The word translated 'angel,' however, means simply 'messenger': cp. Judges 6:8.
Gilgal] the site of the first Hebrew camp after the crossing of the Jordan (Joshua 4:19). Bochim] 'weepers' (Judges 2:4), but LXX here reads 'Bethel' (Judges 1:23), which was later the abode of the ark (Judges 20:27) Allon Bacuth, 'weeping tree,' was near Bethel (Genesis 25:8). Covenant] see Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:19; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 8:18; Deuteronomy 29:1; Deuteronomy 31:16, etc.
Division 2, Judges 2:6 to Judges 3:4.
A return to the later scenes of Joshua's life, to connect it with the stories of the Judges. chapter Judges 2:6-10 is very similar to Joshua 24:28-31. The history of Israel in this period is here interpreted as a succession of punishments for disobedience, and deliverance after repentance, a point of view which is not emphasised in the individual stories, but not inconsistent with them. Israel's only chance of existence in Canaan lay in its adherence to the one bond of union, the worship of Jehovah. The introduction divides into three parts: Judges 2:6-10, historical prologue; Judges 2:11-23, interpretation of the history; Judges 3:1-6, Israel's actual relations with the Canaanites.
6-10. Historical Prologue.