Joshua 9:3

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 9:3

The inhabitants of Gibeon heard - These alone did not join the confederation. Gibeon is supposed to have been the capital of the Hivites. In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25 , and was afterwards given to the priests, Joshua 21:17 . See the note on Joshua 10:2 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 9:3

Verse 3 3.And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard, etc. The inhabitants of Gibeon alone rejecting the proposal to make war have recourse to fraud, and endeavor to obtain peace by pretending to live at a great distance. To make such an attempt, was very odious to their neighbors, because it was, in a manner, to make a schism among them, to open a door to the Israelites, and weaken the strength of their allies. And though blame is justly due to the foolish credulity of Joshua and the rulers, who... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 9:3

The inhabitants of Gibeon. That is, of a confederation of cities (see Joshua 9:17 ), of which Gibeon was the head. Gibeon was a city of some importance ( Joshua 10:2 ). Though it was for size and importance "as one of the royal cities," we hear nothing of a king there. Hengstenberg, in his history, describes it as "eine freie Stadt," with daughter cities dependent on it. In fact, the Phoenician cities (see Introduction) seem to have had as great a variety of constitution as those of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 9:3-4

A stolen treaty. The Canaanite kings are at last roused to united action against Joshua and the host of Israel. But their confederation is not complete. The inhabitants of Gibson, on the principle that "discretion is the better part of valour," endeavour, in something like selfish treachery to the common cause, to make peace with the invaders. A suggestive example of the spirit that animates the corrupt social life of the world. When men are bent on saving them. selves they care little for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 9:3-27

The submission of the Gibeonites. According to the explicit law of Moses (in Deuteronomy 20:10-18 ), there were three courses which Israel might pursue towards the cities they besieged: 1 . In the event of a city refusing to capitulate, they were, after taking it, to destroy all the males who survived, but take the women and the little ones and the spoil, and divide the same. This first course, however, was only to be pursued to such cities as were outside the boundaries of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 9:3

Gibeon was the head of the four towns Joshua 9:17 occupied by the Hivites Joshua 11:19. The inhabitants were Amorites 2 Samuel 21:2; the name “Amorites” being used as a general name for the Canaanite population (Deuteronomy 1:44 note). The Hivites seem to have had a non-monarchical form of government (compare Joshua 9:3, Joshua 9:11), but their city was Joshua 10:2 in size and importance equal to those cities which the kings of the country made their capitals. Gibeon signifies “pertaining to a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 9:3-4

Joshua 9:3-4. And when Rather, but when; the inhabitants of Gibeon A great and royal city of the Hivites. They made as if they had been ambassadors Sent from a far country. Wine-bottles, old and rent, and bound up This seems scarce sense to us; but will appear clear enough when we recollect that glass bottles were not then known, but that bottles made of leather or skins were then used; and the Gibeonites, to make show of being come from a far country, brought with them such as were... read more

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