Judges 1:22-26

The writer described Ephraim and Manasseh together as "the house of Joseph" (Judges 1:22-29). First, he narrated Ephraim’s activity (Judges 1:22-26). The Ephraimites’ treatment of the man of Bethel who gave them information violated God’s orders. They should have put him to death along with the rest of the Bethelites whom they did kill. This incomplete obedience is what the writer again emphasized in this passage that alludes to Bethel’s illustrious history (Genesis 28:18-22; Genesis 35:1-15; Genesis 48:3) and tragic future (1 Kings 12:25-33; 1 Kings 13:1-19; 2 Kings 23:15-17).