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The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:14
The oracle neglected. Between Joshua and Eleazer, the ruler and the high priest, a noble heritage was divided. The one has the obedience of Israel, the other the secrets of God. They have at their command respectively h…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:14
The Israelites outwitted. A story that bears on its face the evidences of authenticity. A wiliness displayed quite in keeping with our notions of Oriental duplicity. Has lessons appropriate to modern days. Whilst some i…
The League with the Gibeonites. (b. c. 1450.)
THE LEAGUE WITH THE GIBEONITES. (B. C. 1450.) Here is, I. The treaty soon concluded with the Gibeonites, Joshua 9:15. The thing was not done with much formality, but in short, 1. They agreed to let them live, and more t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:15
The princes of the congregation. Literally, the exalted ones, נְשִׂיאֵי of the congregation, "Die obersten der gemeine" (Luther); that is, the heads of the various tribes (see Numbers 1:44; and note on Joshua 7:14).
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:15-23
The Gibeonites. The manner in which Joshua dealt with the Gibeonites shows how inflexible is the respect God requires for truth. That respect is exemplified in two ways in tiffs narrative. First, in the fulfilment of th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:17
On the third day. After the trick was discovered. Keil remarks that we need not suppose that the three days were consumed on the march. Not only did Joshua, when celerity was necessary, perform the journey in a single n…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:18
And the children of Israel smote them not. There is great difference of opinion among the commentators as to whether this oath were binding off the Israelites or not. This difference is to be found among Roman Catholics…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:20
Lest wrath be upon us. The original is not quite so strong: "and wrath will not be upon us ( καὶ οὐκ ἔσται καθ ἡμῶν ὀργή, LXX).
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:21
Said unto them, i.e; to the Israelites. But let them be. Rather, and they were, with Rosenmuller and Keil. See Keil in loc. for the force of the Vau conversive. The LXX. and Vulgate render as our version. Hewers of wood…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 9:22-27
The Gibeonites do not justify their lie, but plead that they did it to save their lives. And the fear was not merely of the power of man; one might flee from that to the Divine protection; but of the power of God himsel…
The Gibeonites Made Bondmen. (b. c. 1450.)
THE GIBEONITES MADE BONDMEN. (B. C. 1450.) The matter is here settled between Joshua and the Gibeonites, and an explanation of the league agreed upon. We may suppose that now, not the messengers who were first sent, but…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:23
There shall none of you be freed from being bondmen. Literally, as margin, there shall not be cut off from you a servant, as in 2 Samuel 3:29, and 1 Kings 2:4. The sense is, "you shall not cease to be servants.'' The te…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:24
The Lord thy God Commanded (see Exodus 23:32; Deuteronomy 7:1, Deuteronomy 7:2). The prophecies of Moses during their sojourn in "the plains of Jordan by Jericho" (see Numbers 22:1-41. sqq). We were sore afraid. Prophes…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:26
That they slew them not. See Joshua 9:18, which attributes the preservation of the Gibeonites to the action of the heads of tribes. Perhaps this should be rendered, and they slew them not.
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 9:27
And for the altar (see note on Joshua 9:21). In the place which he should choose. This phrase, and especially the use of the imperfect tense, implies that Solomon's temple was not yet built. The ark of God, and the tabe…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 10:1-6
When sinners leave the service of Satan and the friendship of the world, that they make peace with God and join Israel, they must not marvel if the world hate them, if their former friends become foes. By such methods S…
The Combination Against Gibeon. (b. c. 1450.)
THE COMBINATION AGAINST GIBEON. (B. C. 1450.) Joshua and the hosts of Israel had now been a good while in the land of Canaan, and no great matters were effected; they were made masters of Jericho by a miracle, of Ai by…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 10:7-14
The meanest and most feeble, who have just begun to trust the Lord, are as much entitled to be protected as those who have long and faithfully been his servants. It is our duty to defend the afflicted, who, like the Gib…
The Sun and Moon Stand Still. (b. c. 1450.)
THE SUN AND MOON STAND STILL. (B. C. 1450.) Here, I. Joshua resolves to assist the Gibeonites, and God encourages him in this resolve. 1. He ascended from Gilgal (Joshua 10:7), that is, he designed, determined, and prep…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 10:15-27
None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. This shows their perfect safety. The kings were called to an account, as rebels against the Israel of God. Refuges of lies will but secure for God's judgment.…
The Five Kings Slain. (b. c. 1450.)
THE FIVE KINGS SLAIN. (B. C. 1450.) It was a brave appearance, no doubt, which the five kings made when they took the field for the reducing of Gibeon, and a brave army they had following them; but they were all routed,…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 10:28-43
Joshua made speed in taking these cities. See what a great deal of work may be done in a little time, if we will be diligent, and improve our opportunities. God here showed his hatred of the idolatries and other abomina…
Seven Kings Defeated and Slain. (b. c. 1450.)
SEVEN KINGS DEFEATED AND SLAIN. (B. C. 1450.) We are here informed how Joshua improved the late glorious victory he had obtained and the advantages he had gained by it, and to do this well is a general's praise. I. Here…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 11:1-9
The wonders God wrought for the Israelites were to encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war against Satan's kingdom, carried on by preaching the gospel, was at first forwarded by miracles; but being ful…