Joshua 9:3-20 NIV

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 9:3

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:8

And they said unto Joshua, we are thy servants ,.... Not that they meant to be subjects of his, and tributaries to him; but this they said in great humility and lowliness of mind, being willing to be or do anything he should enjoin them. Abarbinel observes, that this they proposed to Joshua singly, not to be servants to all the people, but to him only, and to have him for their head and governor: and Joshua, said, who are ye? and from whence come ye ? by what name are ye called? and... read more

John Gill

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

And they said unto him, from a very far country thy servants are come ,.... Which they magnified and expressed in stronger terms than before, but were careful not to mention any country, lest such questions should be asked about it, their answers to which would betray them, but put it off by saying they were come: because of the name of the Lord thy God ; because of what they had heard of his name, his power and goodness; or "unto the name of the Lord thy God" F15 לשם יהוה "ad... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:10

And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan ,.... On the other side of Jordan from Gilgal: to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan in Ashtaroth ; the history of which see in Numbers 21:21 ; they wisely took no notice of the miracle of dividing the waters of Jordan, to make a passage for the Israelites; nor of the destruction of Jericho and Ai, which were recent things, and could not be thought as yet to have reached a far country they... read more

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 9:3

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:8

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:10

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