1. After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the Lord, “Who will be the first to fight for us against the Canaanites? ”
2. The Lord answered, “Judah is to go. I have handed the land over to him.”
3. Judah said to his brother Simeon, “Come with me to my territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites. I will also go with you to your territory.” So Simeon went with him.
4. When Judah attacked, the Lord handed the Canaanites and Perizzites over to them. They struck down 10,000 men in Bezek.
5. They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek, fought against him, and struck down the Canaanites and Perizzites.
6. When Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
7. Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. God has repaid me for what I have done.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
8. The men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire.