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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 10:7-14

Here, I. Joshua resolves to assist the Gibeonites, and God encourages him in this resolve. 1. He ascended from Gilgal (Josh. 10:7), that is, he designed, determined, and prepared for, this expedition to relieve Gibeon, for it is probable it was before he stirred a step that God spoke to him to encourage him. It was generous and just in Joshua to help his new allies, though perhaps the king of Jerusalem, when he attacked them, little thought that Joshua would be so ready to help them, but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 10:15-27

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, put into disorder first, and then brought to destruction by the hail-stones. And now Joshua thought, his work being done, he might go with his army into quarters of refreshment. Accordingly it was resolved, perhaps in a council of war, that they should presently return to the camp at Gilgal (Josh. 10:15), till... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 10:28-43

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 is a particular account of the several cities which he immediately made himself master of. 1. The cities of three of the kings whom he had conquered in the field he went and took possession of, Lachish (Josh. 10:31, 32), Eglon (Josh. 10:34, 35), and Hebron, Josh. 10:36, 37. The other two, Jerusalem and Jarmuth, were not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:12

Then spake Joshua to the Lord ,.... In prayer, and entreated as follows, that the sun and moon might stand still, until the victory was complete; though the Jewish writers interpret it of a song; so the Targum, then Joshua praised, or sung praise, as in the Targum on Song of Solomon 1:1 ; and which is approved of by Jarchi and Kimchi: in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel ; the five kings of the Amorites, and their armies, Joshua 10:5 , ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:13

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed ,.... The sun that came out of his chamber like a bridegroom, and rejoiced as a strong man to run his course, stopped his course at once; and the moon that walks in her brightness proceeded not on, but both stood still, motionless, and continued in this position: until the people had avenged themselves on their enemies : until the nation and people of Israel had taken vengeance on and destroyed the live kings and their forces: how this is to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:14

And there was no day like that, before it, or after it ,.... Which must be understood as referring not to natural days, or such as are according to the natural course of things, as those in the northern and southern poles, which are much longer, but to miraculous and extraordinary ones: never was there such a day as this, occasioned by the sun standing still; and as for Hezekiah's day, which is objected, when the sun went ten degrees backward on the dial of Ahaz, it is not certain whether... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:15

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. That is, he thought to have returned, had determined upon it, and prepared for it, but was prevented by hearing that the five kings had hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah; which he ordered to be stopped up till the people had finished the pursuit of their enemies, when he destroyed Makkedah, and which led him on to the conquest of other places before he returned; or else this verse stands not in its proper place, or is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:16

But these five kings fled ,.... They were not killed by hailstones, nor slain by the sword of the Israelites, but made their escape, being reserved by the providence of God for a more shameful end: and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah ; not in the city of Makkedah, which as yet was not in the hands of Israel, whereas this cave was, as appears by what follows; but it was in some hill, or mountain, near it; in the border of it, as Kimchi expresses it, and where a hill is shown to this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:17

And it was told Joshua ,.... Either by some of his own people, or by some of the inhabitants of the land in his interest, who had observed it: saying, the five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah : this seems to make it appear that they were others, and not Joshua's soldiers, that found them; for had they, no doubt they would have seized them, and brought them before him, or slain them, unless they chose first to know his will concerning them, next expressed. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:18

And Joshua said, roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave ,.... To keep the kings in, that they might not make their escape, until he had convenient time to have them brought before him, and be treated by him as they deserved; and no doubt there were plenty of stones about the hill or mountain, in which this cave was, fit for this purpose: and set men by it for to keep them ; as a guard upon them, to prevent their escape. read more

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