1._Now it came to pass, _etc He had formerly briefly glanced at, but
now more fully details the conspiracy of the kings, who dwelt both in
the mountains and in the plain. For after mentioning that they were
struck with fear, and leagued together to make common war, he had
broken off abruptly, and pr... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua, _etc The course of the
narrative is inverted; for the Gibeonites certainly did not wait till
they were besieged, but on seeing an army levied and prepared, and
having no doubt that they would have to sustain the first onset, as
they had incurred general hat... [ Continue Reading ]
8_. And the Lord discomfited them, _etc It is uncertain whether the
Lord anticipated the movement, and armed Joshua by his oracle, drawing
him forth from Gilgal before he had taken any step, or whether he only
confirmed him after he had made his preparations for setting out. It
seems to me more like... [ Continue Reading ]
10._And the Lord discomfited them, _etc In the first slaughter the
Lord exerted his own might, but used the swords of the people. Hence
we infer that whenever he works by men, nothing is detracted from his
glory, but whatever is done redounds to him alone. For when he employs
the co-operation of men... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Then spoke Joshua to the Lord, _etc Such is the literal reading,
but some expound it as meaning _before _Jehovah: for to speak to God,
who, as piety dictates, is to be suppliantly petitioned, seems to be
little in accordance with the modesty of faith, and it is immediately
subjoined that Joshua... [ Continue Reading ]
13._And the sun stood still, _etc The question how the sun stood in
Gibeon, is no less unseasonably raised by some than unskillfully
explained by others. (95) For Joshua did not subtlety place the sun in
any particular point, making it necessary to feign that the battle was
fought at the summer sols... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And there was no day like that, _etc We read in Isaiah and in the
Sacred History, that the course of the sun was afterwards changed as a
favor to King Hezekiah. (Isaiah 38:5) For to assure him that his life
was still to be prolonged fifteen years, the shadow of the sun was
carried back over ten... [ Continue Reading ]
15._And Joshua returned, _etc This verse is not inserted in its proper
place, (100) for shortly after the end of the battle is added, and the
punishment inflicted on the kings, which was subsequent to the battle.
We are then told of the encampment in Makkedah, and at last, in the
end of the chapter,... [ Continue Reading ]
18._And Joshua said, Roll, _etc The enemy having been completely
routed, Joshua is now free, and, as it were, at leisure, to inflict
punishment on the kings. In considering this, the divine command must
always be kept in view. But for this it would argue boundless
arrogance and barbarous atrocity to... [ Continue Reading ]
25._And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, etc _Joshua now triumphs in
the persons of the five kings over all the others who remained. For he
exhorts his own people to confidence, just as if those who still stood
unsubdued were actually prostrate under their feet. Hence we gather,
that by the tramplin... [ Continue Reading ]
29._Then Joshua. passed, _etc We have now a description of the taking
of the cities, out of which the army of the enemy had been raised; and
herein God displayed his power no less wonderfully than in the open
field, especially when the rapidity is considered. For although those
who had fled hither i... [ Continue Reading ]
40._So Joshua smote all the country, _etc Here the divine authority is
again interposed in order completely to acquit Joshua of any charge of
cruelty. Had he proceeded of his own accord to commit an
indiscriminate massacre of women and children, no excuse could have
exculpated him from the guilt of... [ Continue Reading ]