(31) Neither did Asher.--See Joshua 19:24-31.

Accho.--The seaport so famous under the names of Ptolemais (Acts 21:7; 1 Maccabees 5:15; 1 Maccabees 10:1), Acre, and St. Jean d'Acre (now Acca). Josephus called it Ako (Antt. ix. 14, ? 2).

Zidon.--(Joshua 11:8.) Asher never succeeded in conquering Zidon, which was the capital of Ph?nicia, though eclipsed by its neighbour Tyre. (2Samuel 5:11; Isaiah 23; Jeremiah 27, 47; Matthew 11:22, &c.) It is now called Saida.

Ahlab.--An unknown town.

Achzib.--(See Joshua 19:29.) Better known as Ecdippa (Jos. B. J. i. 13, ? 4), the modern Zib, about nine miles north of Akka. There was a less well-known Achzib in Judah (Chezib)--Genesis 38:5; Micah 1:14; Joshua 15:44.

Helbah.--The name is rendered "the coast" in Joshua 19:29. The site is unknown.

Aphik.--The Aphek of Joshua 19:30, now Afka (Robinson, Bible Res., 3:606). The name means "strength." It was famous for a Temple of Venus, destroyed by Constantine. (Euseb. Vit. Const.) There seems to have been another Aphek near Hebron. (Joshua 12:18.)

Rehob.--A Levitical city (Joshua 21:31; 1Chronicles 6:75).

1:21-36 The people of Israel were very careless of their duty and interest. Owing to slothfulness and cowardice, they would not be at the pains to complete their conquests. It was also owing to their covetousness: they were willing to let the Canaanites live among them, that they might make advantage of them. They had not the dread and detestation of idolatry they ought to have had. The same unbelief that kept their fathers forty years out of Canaan, kept them now out of the full possession of it. Distrust of the power and promise of God deprived them of advantages, and brought them into troubles. Thus many a believer who begins well is hindered. His graces languish, his lusts revive, Satan plies him with suitable temptations, the world recovers its hold; he brings guilt into his conscience, anguish into his heart, discredit on his character, and reproach on the gospel. Though he may have sharp rebukes, and be so recovered that he does not perish, yet he will have deeply to lament his folly through his remaining days; and upon his dying bed to mourn over the opportunities of glorifying God and serving the church he has lost. We can have no fellowship with the enemies of God within us or around us, but to our hurt; therefore our only wisdom is to maintain unceasing war against them.Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho,.... The same with Ptolemais; see Gill on Acts 21:7; so called from the first Ptolemy king of Egypt, who enlarged it; but it has since recovered its ancient name pretty nearly, and is now called Acca or Acra."On its north and east sides (Mr. Maundrell says (w)) it is encompassed with a spacious and fertile plain; on the west it is washed by the Mediterranean sea; and on the south by a large bay, extending from the city as far as Mount Carmel:"

nor the inhabitants of Zidon; a well known city in Phoenicia, belonging to this tribe, see Joshua 19:28,

nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor Helbah, nor Aphik, nor of Rehob; two of these places, Ahlab and Helbah, are not mentioned among the cities of the tribe of Asher, Joshua 19:24; unless Helbah is the same with Helkath, Judges 1:25; of the rest, Achzib; see Gill on Joshua 19:29, Aphik, and Rehob; see Gill on Joshua 19:30.

(w) Journey from Aleppo, p. 54.