Joshua 15:15-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 15:13-19

The historian seems pleased with every occasion to make mention of Caleb and to do him honour, because he had honoured God in following him fully. Observe, I. The grant Joshua made him of the mountain of Hebron for his inheritance is here repeated (Josh. 15:13), and it is said to be given him. 1. According to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua. Though Caleb, in his petition, had made out a very good title to it by promise, yet, because God had ordered Joshua to divide the land by lot, he... read more

John Gill

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

And he went up from thence to the inhabitants of Debir ,.... Having conquered Hebron, and got possession of that, Caleb marched to Debir, a city not many miles from Hebron, and seems to have been in the country, and part of the land, which was given him; of which See Gill on Joshua 10:38 , and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher ; or "the city of books"; either a place of literature, a sort of an academy, or where was a public library; the Targum calls it Kirjatharche, or the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 15:16

And Caleb said, he that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it ,.... Which he ordered to be proclaimed through the army that was under his command; and which was done not so much on the account of the difficulty of taking the place, through the number of the inhabitants of it, and its fortifications, which it seems had fallen again into the hands of the Canaanites, since it was taken by Joshua; nor through inactivity, diffidence, and timorousness in himself; but that others, who were officers,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 15:15

Kirjath-sepher - The city of the book. Why so named is uncertain. It was also called Debir, and Kirjath-sannah. See Joshua 15:49 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 15:16

Will I give Achsah my daughter - In ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage; and it was customary for a king or great man to promise his daughter in marriage to him who should take a city, kill an enemy, etc. So Saul promised his daughter in marriage to him who should kill Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:25 ; and Caleb offers his on this occasion to him who should take Kirjath-sepher. Profane writers furnish many... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 15:1-63

The inheritance of Judah. This chapter does not suggest much matter for homiletic treatment. The chief points to be noticed are HOMILIES BY J. WAITE read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 15:15

Kirjath-sepher (see note on Joshua 10:38 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 15:16

And Caleb said (cf. 1 Samuel 17:25 ; 1 Chronicles 11:6 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 15:16-19

Fulness of blessing. Achsah had something of her father's spirit in her—ambitious, vigorous, resolute, quick to seize the present opportunity. Having so lately won his own suit Caleb could scarcely deny her her's. Through the simple, Oriental form of this narrative we see the working of deep and universal principles of human life. Let us regard it as suggestive of that restless craving of our nature which can find satisfaction only in the realisation of the higher good. I. NATURE 'S ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 15:16-19

The story of Achsah. I. LOVE IS THE STRONGEST MOTIVE OF CONDUCT . AS Othniel was nephew to Caleb, and therefore must have known Achsah, it is probable that he accepted the challenge to seize Kirjath-sepher from motives of real affection for the daughter of Caleb. God has providentially arranged that human love should serve as a help for the performance of difficult tasks. Christianity appropriates and consecrates the emotion of love by directing it to Christ. Love is... read more

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