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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 11:1-9

We are here entering upon the story of another campaign that Joshua made, and it was a glorious one, no less illustrious than the former in the success of it, though in respect of miracles it was inferior to it in glory. The wonders God then wrought for them were to animate and encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war carried on by the preaching of the gospel against Satan's kingdom was at first forwarded by miracles; but, the war being by them sufficiently proved to be of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:7

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them ,.... Being encouraged by the Lord, they set out with Joshua at the head of them, to fight the kings and their forces. It is highly probable that these were not the whole body of armed men in the camp of Israel, but a select company Joshua took of them, and who would be able to make quicker marches on this expedition: by the waters of Merom suddenly ; the Targum is,"they lay by the waters of Merom;'as they were thoughtless... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 11:7

By the waters of Merom suddenly - Joshua, being apprised of this grand confederation, lost no time, but marched to meet them; and before they could have supposed him at hand, fell suddenly upon them, and put them to the rout. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 11:1-23

The continuation of the struggle. The same class of thoughts is suggested by this chapter as by the former. We have, as before But the course of the narrative gives a somewhat different form to our reflections. I. JOSHUA NEEDED SPECIAL ENCOURAGEMENT ONCE MORE , in spite of his previous signal victory. This was because he had a new class of enemies to contend against. These kings, with the king Hazor at their head, seem to have possessed a higher civilisation than the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 11:7

Suddenly (see remarks in Introduction on Joshua's characteristics as a general. Also Joshua 10:9 ). And they fell upon them. This phrase denotes the rapidity of the onset. While they deemed him to be leagues away, he suddenly appeared at the head of his army, no doubt debouching from one of the mountain passes of Upper Galilee; and before they could set themselves in battle array, his troops, without giving the enemy time to rally, or themselves a moment's breathing-time, commenced the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 11:7

Suddenly - As before, at Gibeon Joshua 10:9, so now Joshua anticipates his enemies. Taken by surprise, and hemmed in between the mountains and the lake, the chariots and horses would have no time to deploy and no room to act effectively; and thus, in all probability, the unwieldy host of the Canaanites fell at once into hopeless confusion. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 11:7

Joshua 11:7. Joshua came against them When they least expected him, intending there to refresh, and prepare, and order themselves for the offensive war which they designed. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:1-15

Victory in northern Canaan (11:1-15)Alarmed by Israel’s victories in the south, the kings of the north organized the largest, strongest and best equipped army that Israel had yet faced (11:1-5). Again God encouraged Joshua, and again Joshua launched a devastating surprise attack. He defeated the combined northern forces, making sure that he destroyed all their horses and chariots. This was apparently to prevent the Israelites from being tempted to use the horses and chariots themselves instead... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 11:1-15

8. Conquests in northern Canaan 11:1-15The leaders of the northern Canaanite cities also decided to unite to withstand the threat of Israelite expansion. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 11:4-9

According to Josephus the combined armies of the Canaanite tribes totaled 300,000 armed footmen, 10,000 horsemen, and 20,000 chariots. [Note: Josephus, 5:1:18.] "The northern coalition was Israel’s most formidable foe in terms of both numbers and weaponry. Each successive battle that Israel fought was more difficult than the last." [Note: Madvig, p. 309.] The waters of Merom (Joshua 11:5) were evidently small lakes close to the village of Merom that was west of Hazor. Some scholars equate the... read more

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