Hamstring their horses, &c. God so ordained, that his people might not trust in chariots and horses, but in him. (Challoner) --- He mentions the very time, when the victory will be obtained, to inspire the Israelites with greater confidence. Josue had proceeded from Galgal to Meron, about 90 miles; or if he had to go to the Semonite lake, 120 miles. Josephus says he had marched five days. read more
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 fully proved to be of God, we are now left to the Divine grace in the usual course, in the use of the sword of the Spirit. God encouraged Joshua. Fresh dangers and difficulties make it necessary to seek fresh supports from the word of God, which we have nigh unto us for use in... read more
The Second Alliance of Heathen Kings and their Defeat v. 1. And it came to pass, when Jabin, king of Hazor, a city in the extreme northern part of Canaan, southeast of Tyre, had heard those things, the conquest of the entire southern part of Canaan, that he sent to Jobab, king of Madon, a city near the brook Kishon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, v. 2. and to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, what was later the mountainous region of Naphtali, and... read more
5. The Victory over the Northern Canaanites. Capture of their Land. General Retrospect of the Conquest of the Country West of the JordanJoshua 11:0a. The Second League of Canaanite KingsJoshua 11:1-61And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had [omit: had] heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, 2And to the kings that were on [in] the north of [on] the mountains, and of the plains [and in the Jordan valley] south of... read more
Joshua’s Obedience to the Lord’s Commands Joshua 11:1-15 The scene is removed to the waters of Merom, near the sources of the Jordan. Hazor was the capital of the region; Jabin, like Pharaoh, was an hereditary title, Judges 4:2 . All the northern nations combined. Joshua’s heart might well have failed, had it not been for the divine promise on the night before the battle, Joshua 11:6 . His attack under cover of night was like the falling of a thunderbolt. The effect was immediate. The huge... read more
A new confederacy had now to be faced and fought. Conscious of their peril, the northern kings now joined in an attempt to break the power of those conquering hosts. Turning north, Joshua led an attack upon these kings and utterly routed them. He then turned back to Hazor with like results. All this did not happen immediately. Indeed, we are told in the text that it had occupied "a long time." In all probability five years had elapsed from the death of Moses to this period. Thus ended the... read more
The Wages of Sin is Death Joshua 11:1-23 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We have heard of old that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." This is true. The outstanding feature in the conquests of Joshua was his absolute obedience to the Captain General of his armies. He fought when and where he was told to fight. 1. Obedience in the midst of dangers. Joshua was not given light things to do. He faced great and fully armed hosts, determined to ruin him. However, whatsoever... read more
‘ And YHWH said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. You shall hough their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” ’ Joshua again sought the guidance of YHWH in the face of these powerful forces and YHWH assured him that he need fear nothing, for on the next day the whole force would be delivered into Joshua’s hand. And this was so certain that He now gave instructions as to what to do with the horses and... read more
‘ So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom, suddenly, and fell on them.’ The huge army gathered together, were probably still arranging tactics and leadership, not realising how close the Israelites were, when without warning the Israelite men of war, whom their scouts had probably told them were safely well out of the way, suddenly emerged and swept down on them catching them totally unawares. Their horses and chariots were unready and they... read more
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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Joshua 11:7-9
If we read these wars with a spiritual eye, (and unless we do this, the mere historical relation will only leave us where it found us) we shall discover much instruction couched under those commands of our God, in the universal destruction of the foe, and all that appertaineth to him. The holy war admits of no accommodation. Our eye cannot spare, neither can we pity, whatever is in enmity with our God, or our own souls. The followers of our Joshua must covet none of the chariots, nor horses of... read more