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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 18:7-13

Here is, I. The observation which the spies made upon the city of Laish, and the posture of its inhabitants, Jdg. 18:7. Never was place so ill governed and so ill guarded, which would make it a very easy prey to the invader. 1. It was ill governed, for every man might be as bad as he would, and there was no magistrate, no heir of restraint (as the word is), that might so much as put them to shame in any thing, much less put them to death, so that by the most impudent immoralities they provoked... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:7

And the five men departed ,.... From Mount Ephraim, and Micah's house there: and came to Laish ; which, according to Bunting F19 Ut supra. (Travels of the Patriarchs, &c.; p. 112.) , was one hundred and four miles from Mount Ephraim, and so many he makes it to be from Jerusalem; it lay at the furthest northern border of the land of Canaan, at the foot of Mount Lebanon, near the fountain of Jordan; it was four miles from Paneas, as Jerom says F20 De loc. Heb. fol. 90. H. ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:8

And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol ,.... After they had well viewed the city, and made their remarks on the inhabitants of it, the condition and circumstances in which they were, and took notice of the goodness of the land about it, they returned to their brethren that sent them, particularly those that dwelt at the two places mentioned: and their brethren said unto them, what say ye ? what tidings do you bring? what account of the place and country where you have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:9

And they said, arise, that me may go up against them ,.... That is, prepare for war, and go up in an hostile manner against the present possessors of the land, not doubting of being masters of it easily: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good . Adrichomius F24 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 3. sect. 1.) says it was very good pasture land, and fertile, abounding with fruits of all kinds; and the same is attested by Josephus F25 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 3. sect.... read more

John Gill

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

When ye go, ye shall come to a people secure, and to a large land ,.... For though it was but one city, the territories of it were large, and the villages belonging to it might be many; which, with the security of the people, might easily be surprised and taken, not being upon their guard, are the arguments used by the spies to encourage their countrymen to go up and take it, to which they add others: for God hath given it into your hands ; which they concluded from the state and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:7

After the manner of the Zidonians - Probably the people of Laish or Leshem were originally a colony of the Sidonians, who, it appears, were an opulent people; and, being in possession of a strong city, lived in a state of security, not being afraid of their neighbors. In this the Leshemites imitated them, though the sequel proves they had not the same reason for their confidence. They were far from the Zidonians - Being, as above supposed, a Sidonian colony, they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:9

Arise , etc. - This is a very plain and nervous address; full of good sense, and well adapted to the purpose. It seems to have produced an instantaneous effect. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 18:7

Laish - Afterward called “Dan” Judges 18:29. The exact site has not been identified, but it was the northern extremity of Israel, near the sources of the Jordan, and about four miles from Panium, or Caesarea-Philippi. It is thought to have stood where the village Tell-el-Kadi now stands.After the manner of the Zidonians - The genius of the Zidonians being mechanical and commercial, not military, their colonists were apt to neglect fortifications and similar warlike precautions. In Solomon’s... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 18:7

Judges 18:7 . After the manner of the Zidonians Who, dwelling in a very strong place, and abounding in wealth, lived securely in peace and luxury, and were imitated therein by the people of Laish, who were grown secure and careless, because they perceived that the Israelites never attempted any thing against them. There was no magistrate that might put them to shame That is, rebuke or punish them for any thing they did. Putting to shame seems to be used for inflicting civil... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 18:10

Judges 18:10. God hath given it into your hands This they gather partly from God’s promises, which they supposed they had from the Levite’s mouth, and partly from his providence, which had so disposed them that they would be an easy prey. read more

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