What nation formed the southern boundary of Judah’s territory?

What two bodies of water formed its eastern boundary?

What notable city is close to the northern border (but not in it)? (verse 8)

What was to be Judah’s western border?

Which tribe did Caleb settle among? According to whose command?

What was the name of Caleb’s town?

Whose three sons did Caleb drive out?

Which city did Caleb go to next?

What did he offer for the one who attacked and took over that city?

Who took him up on it?

What did Caleb’s daughter ask for?

What is the significance of the long list of cities in vs. 21-62?

Read vs. 21-62 to see if you recognize any of the cities from other stories.

What happened to the inhabitants of Jerusalem?

Ch. 16: What were some of the border landmarks of the tribes of Joseph? Find their territory on a map.

What were the two sub-tribes named after the children of Joseph? (verse 4)

In what territory did the Ephraimites have some cities?

Where did the tribes of Joseph fail to drive out the Caananites?

Thought Questions

According to Joshua 15:12 and 46-47, Judah’s borders were to extend to the Mediterranean Sea. When you look on a map of the territory though, it does not—there is Philistine territory there, including the cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gaza. Why did this not happen? What was the result?

What might the “Philistine cities” symbolize in your life? That is, what are you hesitating to drive out from your life, either from fear or from desire to hang on? Looking at the result of the existence of the Philistine strongholds for a long time thereafter, but especially through David’s time, what might be the result of not conquering them now?

How do you think 85-year-old Caleb was able to drive out three sons of Anak (who were probably rulers of their territory)? Who were the Anakim? See Deut. 9:2.

Why do you think he offered his daughter in marriage to the person who could take Kirjath Sepher?

Why could elderly Caleb take over the land of three major Anakim but the rest of the people could not fully take over Jerusalem, Gezer, and many of the Philistine cities?

Do you think God has a plan for the “borders of your territory,” literally or figuratively? Have you taken Him up on them? What has gotten in your way?

My prayer is:

That I would follow the will of God in going boldly to the places where He has led me;

That God would give me the strength to have victory in ousting the “Philistine cities” from my life, before they cause more problems;

And that I would not be afraid of the giants in my life, but trust God to help me overcome them in order to do His will, no matter how feeble I might feel.