Joshua 5:10-12

Celebration of the Passover Cessation of the Manna

10. And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal The camp became permanent, and probably in grateful memorial of the many associations connected with the place, the people made it for centuries the great gathering-place of the tribes (Joshua 9:6; Joshua 10:6; Joshua 10:43). The following notices of its subsequent history are deserving of attention. (a) It was the site of the Tabernacle during the continuance of the wars and until its removal to Shiloh; (b) It was one of the three assize towns, where Samuel administered justice (1 Samuel 7:16); (c) It was here that Samuel and Saul held solemn assemblies, as also David on his return from exile (comp. 1Sa 10:8; 1 Samuel 11:14; 1 Samuel 15:12; 2 Samuel 19:15); (d) after the building of the Temple, it became more and more neglected, but was the site of a school of the prophets, who remained there till a late period (2 Kings 2:5).

and kept the passover Their "reproach" having been "rolled away," the people of God would renew the festive remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt.

on the fourteenth day Comp. Exodus 12:6; Exodus 12:18; Deuteronomy 16:6. As the night of the first Passover was one of terror and judgment to Egypt, so now, while within view of the camp at Gilgal, Israel was keeping the first Passover on the soil of Palestine, "Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel, none went out, and none came in." (Joshua 6:1.)