As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah couldn’t drive them out; but the Jebusites live with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 63. Jerusalem. The Benjamites claimed the northern part of this city; ( Bible.) and they did not drive out the Jebusites, but lived with them, Judges 1:21. The tribe of Juda had burnt a part of the city. Judges 1:8. But it seems the Jebusites kept their hold, ( Calmet.) at least in the citadel, ( Bible.) and frequently in the lower town, till they were entirely banished by David, 2 Kennicott. 5:7. See Judges 19:11. In latter times, the Jews considered this place as the common city of all the nation, to which none of the tribes had an exclusive right; and hence, in the last siege, there was no head, and all the Jews were admitted without examination. Josephus. Bel. iv. 5, and so forth Calmet.—Day, and even till the reign of David. The author of this observation must have lived before that period. Josue might have made this and may other similar remarks, when he finished this work, towards the end of his life. Bible.