1:1 After. The Book of Joshua opens similarly: “After the death of Moses” (Josh. 1:1).

Who. The Israelites ask an almost identical question at the end of the book—“Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” (20:18). The choice of God is Judah. David and his heirs would come from this tribe.

Canaanites. The Canaanites were one of several groups inhabiting the land of Canaan. The Israelites were commanded to annihilate them (Deut. 7:1–2; 20:16–20), and whether they could obey these terms of the covenant will be the issue for this entire introductory section.