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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:2

That they feared greatly. Joshua had certainly obtained an excellent strategic position in the heart of the country; but it was not this which apparently most alarmed the kings who constituted the confederacy, though they did not fail to observe that, as the words "and were among them" show. It was the weight and importance of Gibeon itself, and the fact that its inhabitants were now enlisted, not on the side of the Canaanites, but against them. As one of the royal cities. Observe the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:3

Hoham king of Hebron. It was a powerful confederacy which the Phoenician tribes in their desperation formed against Joshua. At its head stood the king of Jerusalem, which, from its central situation and its almost impregnable position (see notes on Joshua 15:63 ), might naturally stand at the head of such a league. Next came Hebron, which, from its importance from an early period ( Genesis 23:2 ; Genesis 35:27 ), and the gigantic stature of its inhabitants ( Numbers 13:33 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:4

Come up unto me. Most of these kings were in the lowlands. Hence the expression "Come up" is accurate in the mouth of the king of Jerusalem, and strengthens the claim of the narrative to be regarded as authentic. That we may smite Gibeon. Or, and we will smite Gibeon. The conjunction וְ . often, but not always, signifies the purpose with which a thing is done. Here there is nothing to guide us in the decision whether the passage indicates the purpose or the result. It is in keeping... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:4

Connection with the Church a source of worldly trouble. The trouble which came upon Gibeon through her connection with Israel affords an illustration of the experience of all who associate themselves with the career and destinies of the Church. I. THE EXISTENCE OF THIS TROUBLE . Though the true Church is an ark of safety, she is an ark upon stormy waters. He who joins the Church on earth joins the Church militant, and shares her dangers ( John 15:18 ). (a) persecution, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:6

To Gilgal. See note on Joshua 9:6 . That dwell in the mountains. Another life like touch. The details of the confederacy were not fully known to the Gibeonites. There had not been time for that. It was only known that the storm was to break on them from the mountain region, Jerusalem ( Joshua 9:4 ) being the head quarters of the expedition. As a matter of fact, the kings who formed the confederacy principally inhabited the lowlands, as we have seen. No one could have hit upon this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:7

Joshua ascended. Keil insists upon the military sense here, as against the literal one, "went up." He believes in the second Gilgal, which was on higher ground than the first (see Joshua 9:6 ), where, however, we learn that the second Gilgal was not so elevated as Gibeon. And all the mighty men of valour. A selection of the bravest troops seems to be implied here, by the copulative particle. Cf. Genesis 3:16 , "Thy pain and (especially in the time of) thy pregnancy." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:8

Fear not. The key-note of Joshua's career, as of the career of every soldier of God (see Joshua 1:9 ; Joshua 11:6 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:8-11

The battle of Beth-horon and its lessons. It may seem as if there was too much carnage about this account for Scripture purposes. Yet it is well to dwell on it. Dean Stanley treats this battle as the Marathon of the religious history of the world. It was the crisis in which the hosts who were, unconsciously to some extent, fighting for truth, righteousness, progress, and liberty, met with those fighting, to some extent unconsciously, for a depraved religion, licentious morals, for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:8-11

The victory over the five kings. The battle against the five kings is the most remarkable episode in the conquest of the Canaanites. Israel might well have had cause to tremble in presence of such allied enemies. But Divine aid gives it a signal victory. That aid comes under two forms: 1 . It consists, first, in a miraculous intervention of the Divine power, which sends down a fierce storm of hailstones upon the Canaanitish armies, and so lengthens out the day as to make the conflict... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 10:9

Suddenly . By a night march, so that he might surprise the confederates at the dawn of day. One of Joshua's chief characteristics as a general was celerity (see Joshua 11:7 ). Masius praises Joshua for his prudence and diligence, and adds, "Qua arte Julium Caesarem tot victoriis clarum fuisse ne ipse quidem dissimulavit." And went up. There is no "and" in the original. It runs thus: "All the night he went (or had gone) up from Gilgal." read more

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