“And Caleb said, “He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” So Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it; and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. Now it was so, when she came to him, that she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.” Judges 15:16-19 (NKJV)
It is interesting. This same story is repeated in Judges 1:12-15. There are few stories in the Bible that are repeated, almost word for word, but when I see them, I try to look closely to see what God is trying to convey.
In this situation, Caleb’s younger brother attacks the city and Caleb gives him Achsah to be his wife, as promised. Othniel would already have received a piece of land as the wedding dowry, but Achsah recognized that the property didn’t have adequate water supply. She encourages Othniel to ask Caleb for a field, yet before he could ask for the additional property, Achsah got down from her donkey, showing respect for Caleb. Her daddy asked her what she wanted – just like good daddies tend to do for their daughters. She asked for a blessing in addition to the land he had already given them and asked for springs of water for the property.
What can I learn from this story? Achsah knew of her father’s love for her. They had a close enough relationship that she felt comfortable asking for an additional blessing. Do I have a close relationship built on experiences of trust with my heavenly Father? Do I know Him well enough that I know He is happy to give good gifts to me?
Listen to Chris Tomlin and Chris Lane as they sing “Gifts from God.”
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 1/26/25, 6:00 am