Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 15:63

63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jeru [illegible: 1+ letters]em , the children of Judah could not drive them out : but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day .

For though Ierusalem was in part taken by Ioshua before this; yet the upper and stronger part of it, called Zion, was still kept by the Iebusites, even until Davids time; and it seems from thence they descended to the lower Town called Ierusalem, and took it; so that the Israelites were forced to win it a second time; yea, and a third time also: for afterwards it was possessed by the Iebusites, Iudg. 19. 11. 2 Sam. 5. 6, 7.

Namely, because of their unbelief, as Christ could do no mighty work—because of the peoples unbelief, Mark 6. 5, 6. Mat. 13. 58. and because of their Sloth, and Cowardise, and Wickedness, whereby they forfeited Gods help, and then they must needs be imporent; but this inability was wilful, and brought upon them by themselves.

The same things which are here said of the children of Iudah, are said of the Benjamites, Iudg. 1. 21. Hence ariseth a question, To which of the Tribes Ierusalem belonged? whether to Benjamin, as is gathered from Gen. 49. 27. Deut. 33. 12. Ier. 6. 1. or to Iudah, as is implied here, and Psal. 78. 68, 69. Some think, that being in the Borders of both, it was common to both, and promiscuously inhabited by both; and it is certain, that after the Captivity it was possessed by both, Neh. 11. 4. But for the present, though it did belong to Benjamin, yet the Children of Iudah being possibly very active in the first taking of it by Ioshua, as they certainly were after his Death, Iudg. 1. 8. they might thereby get some right to share with the Benjamites in the Possession of it. It seems most probable, that part of it, and indeed the greatest part, and main body of it, stood in the Tribe of Benjamin; and hence this is mentioned in the List of their Cities, and not in Iudah's List; and part of it stood in Iudah's share, even Mount Moriah, on which the Temple was built; and Mount Sion, when it was taken from the Iebusites.

When this Book was written, whether in Ioshuah's Life and Old Age, which continued many years after the taking of Ierusalem; or after his Death, when this Clause was added here and elsewhere in this Book by some other man of God, which must needs be done before Davids time, when the Iebusites were quite expelled, and their Fort taken.