Bethel was within the borders of Benjamin, but was captured, as we learn here, by the house of Joseph, who probably retained it.

The house of Joseph. —Ephraim and Manasseh. The narrative now leaves the conquest of southern for that of central Palestine ([Refe…

And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel ,
&c.] Which lay upon the borders of the sons of Joseph, E…

The people of Israel were very neglectful of their duty and their own best interest. Because of slothfulness and cowardice, they would not take the…