Charles Ellicott Commentary Joshua 19:40

"The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families." — Joshua 19:40 (ASV)

The seventh lot ... of the children of Dan. —Dan was the most numerous tribe, next to Judah, in each census taken during the exodus . This tribe had also held a post of honor as commander of the rearguard during the march. A similar post is here assigned to Dan in Palestine, namely, next to Judah, on the side of the Philistine territory.

The Philistines were the most powerful and warlike of the unconquered nations of Palestine. The wisdom of guarding Israel on their frontier by the two strongest of the tribes is manifest. It was Samson, a Danite, who began to deliver Israel from them, and David completed the work. Though there were Philistine wars in the time of the later kings, they never had dominion over Israel after David’s time.