Joshua 9:1-10:43

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 9:1-2

Hitherto the Canaanites had acted defensively; the Israelites were the aggressors upon Jericho and Ai. But here the kings of Canaan are in consultation to attack Israel, and concert matters for a vigorous effort of their united forces to check the progress of their victorious arms. Now, 1. It was strange they did not do this sooner. They had notice long since of their approach; Israel's design upon Canaan was no secret; one would have expected that a prudent concern for their common safety... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:1

And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan ,.... On the side Israel now were, and was that in which the land of Canaan lay, and was now governed by many kings, and all that were now remaining, even all but the kings of Jericho and Ai, who were slain: both those in the hills, and in the valleys ; that dwelt in the mountainous part of the country, and in the plains of it: and in all the coasts of the great sea, over against Lebanon ; who inhabited and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 9:1

And it came to pass , when all the kings - heard thereof - From this account it appears that the capture and destruction of Jericho and Ai had been heard of to the remotest parts of the land, that a general fear of the Israelitish arms prevailed, and that the different dynasties or petty governments into which the land was divided, felt all their interests at stake, and determined to make the defense of their country a common cause. This was the most prudent step they could... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 9:1

Verse 1 1.And it came to pass when all the kings, etc. As the arrival of the people was well known to these kings from the very first, it is certain that their minds were intoxicated from above with security or lethargy, so that they did not forthwith league together to oppose them. It implied excessive stupor not to provide for themselves till they were violently roused to exertion by the overthrow of two cities. (80) For as the war was common, it was a kind of voluntary surrender to send no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 9:1

EXPOSITION THE GIBEONITES .— And it came to pass, when all the kings. According to the explanation given above ( Joshua 6:5 , Joshua 6:15 ) of the particle כ with the infinitive, this must mean immediately. We must therefore suppose that the distance at which they lived from the scene of the events had prevented them from comprehending their astounding character so clearly as those who lived in the immediate neighbourhood (see Joshua 2:11 ; Joshua 5:1 ; Joshua 6:1 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 9:1-27

God's people off their guard. This chapter contains the record of a venial sin; an act, that is, which was rather one of thoughtlessness than of deliberate intention to offend. It is one thing to forget for a moment God's superintending providence, and to act without consulting Him. It is quite another to act systematically as if there were no God. Thus we read of no very serious results flowing from this inadvertence. God is "not extreme to mark what is done amiss," and distinguishes... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 9:1-2

In the hills - See the Numbers 13:17 note.The valleys - Or “the vale” (the Shephelah, Deuteronomy 1:7), which imports the lowland country between the mountains and the sea coast. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 9:1-2

Joshua 9:1-2. In all the coasts of the great sea, &c. Some versions render this, And those along all the coasts of the great sea, and those about Lebanon. Heard thereof That is, of the taking of Jericho and Ai, for what immediately precedes, namely, about writing the law on stones in mount Ebal, did not concern these nations. They gathered themselves together to fight, &c. They entered into a league to do this. Though they were many kings of different nations, and doubtless of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:1-27

Victory in central Canaan (8:1-9:27)Now that the Israelites had removed the cause of their defeat, God promised Joshua victory over Ai. He added that on this occasion the Israelites could keep the plunder for themselves (8:1-2).Even with God’s assurance of victory, Joshua planned the attack thoroughly. One company of soldiers was to draw the men of Ai out of the city to fight, then a second company would come out of hiding to attack Ai from the rear (3-9). The plan worked perfectly. When the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 9:1

the Canaanite, the Perizzite. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and the Canaanite and the Perizzite". read more

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