Joshua 9:1-15 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 9:3-14

Here, I. The Gibeonites desire to make peace with Israel, being alarmed by the tidings they heard of the destruction of Jericho, Josh. 9:3. Other people heard those tidings, and were irritated thereby to make war upon Israel; but the Gibeonites heard them and were induced to make peace with them. Thus the discovery of the glory and grace of God in the gospel is to some a savour of life unto life, but to others a savour of death unto death, 2 Cor. 2:16. The same sun softens wax and hardens... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 9:15-21

Here is, I. The treaty soon concluded with the Gibeonites, Josh. 9:15. The thing was not done with much formality, but in short, 1. They agreed to let them live, and more the Gibeonites did not ask. In a common war this would have been but a small matter to be granted; but in the wars of Canaan, which were to make a general destruction, it was a great favour to a Canaanite to have his life given him for a prey, Jer. 45:5. 2. This agreement was made not by Joshua only, but by the princes of the... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:2

That they gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua , and with Israel ,.... Not at this time, but they met together to consult what was proper to be done in order to secure themselves, and their people, and put a stop to the successes of the arms of Israel; and for this purpose entered into alliances with each other to assist one another, or at a convenient time and place to join their forces together, and attack Israel, as afterwards they did, Joshua 11:1 ; and this they did ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:3

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon ,.... A large and royal city, a metropolitan one, which had three others belonging to it, and under it, mentioned Joshua 9:17 ; see Joshua 10:2 ; no mention is made of any king over them, perhaps they were governed by elders, Joshua 9:11 . Though an Arabic writer F8 Patricides, p. 30. apud Hottinger. Smegm. Oriental. l. 1. c. 8. p. 507. says, the king of Gibeon wrote to Joshua, and desired security, and sent him large gifts, whom having... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:4

And they did work wilily ,.... Acted craftily, dealt in much cunning and subtlety; our version leaves out a very emphatic word, "also"; they also, as well as other nations, acted a cunning part, but in a different way; they did not enter into consultations and alliances with others, how to defend themselves, but made use of a stratagem to make peace, and enter into a league with Israel; or also as the Israelites had done, either as Simeon and Levi had dealt craftily with the Shechemites, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:5

And old shoes and clouted upon their feet ,.... Which being worn out, were patched with various pieces of leather: and old garments upon them ; full of holes and rents, ragged and patched: and the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy ; having been kept a long time, and unfit for use; or like cakes over baked and burnt, as the Targum and Jarchi: the word for "mouldy" signifies pricked, pointed, spotted, as mouldy bread has in it spots of different colours, as white, red,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:6

And they went to Joshua, unto the camp at Gilgal ,.... From whence it appears, that after Jericho and Ai were destroyed, the army of Israel returned to their encampment at Gilgal, Joshua 5:10 ; and here they were when the Gibeonites applied to them: and said unto him, and to the men of Israel ; not to the whole body of the people, but either to the seventy elders, the great council, who were with Joshua, or the princes of the congregation, after mentioned, who are said to swear to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:7

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites ,.... Though they did not know them to be such, but as they afterwards appeared to be the Hivites, as the Gibeonites were, they are here so called, see Joshua 11:19 . The name signifies "serpents"; according to a Derash, or mystical exposition, mentioned by Kimchi, the Gibeonites are so called, because they did the work of the serpent; that is to say, they deceived the Israelites, as the serpent deceived Eve: peradventure ye dwell among us ;... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 9:3-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 9:15-21

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:7

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