And Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher." – Judges 1:12

Today's Scripture Reading (April 21, 2025): Judges 1

In 1236 C.E., two nobles entered into a contract with each other. Both men had something that the other wanted. But added to the agreement was a marriage. The two men were Humphrey, Earl of Warwick, and Sir Ralph of Thosney. Sir Ralph had a son named Roger, and Humphrey had a daughter named Alice, and the marriage was between these children of the Noblemen. When looking at the contract between Humphrey and Ralph, it becomes apparent that the wedding is almost an afterthought. However, it is also important to note that while neither child appears to have had any input on the union, it is also clear that Alice was gifted to Roger, and not vice versa.

In centuries past, this idea was a common one. Alliances between families and nations were often made through arranged marriages. Even in the Bible, this idea was commonly accepted. We remember Solomon's 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines, but very few, if any, of these relationships were unions of love. There doesn't seem to be anything close to even the infatuation that Solomon's father, David, held for his mother, Bathsheba. A vast majority of Solomon's 1000 relationships were political allies. Where his father had made peace through force and was often at war with the countries surrounding Israel, Solomon kept the peace through the alliances solidified through marriage to King Solomon himself.

Caleb promises to marry his daughter to the one who could take Kiriath Sepher. Experts argue that Caleb is being generous with the offer of his daughter, and that is true, but he needs Kiriath Sepher secured. He evaluates that taking control of Kiriath Sepher is worth marriage to his daughter if someone can get the job done. But there is likely another subtle motivation for the gift of his daughter. Caleb is aging, and whoever is able to take Kiriath Sepher is probably someone who could care for his daughter. The one who can take the city is not likely to be weak and without ambition. So, Caleb gets the city and future security for his daughter. Caleb feels that is a trade worth making. 

But that doesn't take away from the fact that Caleb's daughter is being treated like property. She does not have any input on who this mysterious husband would be. Unlike the deal between Humphrey, Earl of Warwick, and Sir Ralph of Thosney, Caleb's new son-in-law will have some input on the future wedding. However, like Alice, the daughter of Humphrey, Caleb's daughter has nothing to say about the deal her Dad is trying to make. 

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Judges 2