15:1-12 The writer recorded the boundaries of the whole tribal territory first. The description proceeds counterclockwise from south (vv. 2-4) to east (v. 5) to north (vv. 5-11) to west (v. 12).
15:13-19 The writer probably included the record of Caleb's success in driving out the Canaanites in his area to highlight the effect of faith in the settling of the land. Othniel (v. 17) was one of Israel's prominent judges (Judg. 3:9), probably the first whom God raised up in Israel after Joshua's death. He was Caleb's younger brother (Heb. ah, cf. Judg. 1:13; 3:9) and bore the spiritual characteristics of his sibling.173
"Acsah's request for the springs is reminiscent of Rebekah's meeting with Isaac (Gn. 24:61-67) in which she also (1) approaches riding on an animal; (2) descends; (3) makes a request; and (4) receives the desired result from the person whom she approaches. Both accounts involve an inheritance of the blessing that God had promised to Abraham. This is probably the reason for the inclusion of this particular note."174
15:20 This verse concludes the description of the tribal boundaries of Judah given in verses 1-19.
