Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 1:24

"And the watchers saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Show us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with thee." — Judges 1:24 (ASV)

The spies.—Perhaps, rather, the scouts of the blockading squadron. The Israelites, like most ancient nations, were little able to take cities by storm, and relied either on blockade or on internal treachery.

Saw a man come forth.—Probably he stole out secretly, and was seized by the scouts. Similarly, the Persians took Sardis by seizing a path used by a man who had dropped his helmet and descended the hill fortress to pick it up (Herod. i. 84).

We will show you mercy.—They bribed him with the promise of personal safety. (Joshua 2:6)