What does Judges 1:1 mean?

The book of Joshua ends with Joshua's challenge to the people of Israel, followed by his death at 110 years old (Joshua 24:29–31). Under Joshua's rule and the Lord's blessing, Israel has entered the Promised Land and experienced great success in breaking the stronghold of the Canaanites over the land. They have begun to take possession of their new homeland.

Joshua asked the people to choose whether they would abandon all other gods, to serve and obey God alone. The people responded in a focused exchange with their leader (Joshua 24:19–24). Their back-and-forth conversation made it clear that the people understood the consequences of rejecting the Lord. In renewing the covenant between God and Israel, Joshua left no doubt that there would be consequences if the people fell into sin and idolatry.

Now, without a king or clear national leader, it was time for the Israelites to clear out the Canaanites from each tribe's portion of the Promised Land. Even before Joshua's campaign, the people of Israel had been told about the depraved evil of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). They begin this new campaign by faithfully asking Yahweh for direction about which of the tribes should attack first to take full and uncontested possession of their inheritance.