Joshua 1:16-17 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 1:16-18

This answer was given not by the two tribes and a half only (though they are spoken of immediately before), but by the officers of all the people (Josh. 1:10), as their representatives, concurring with the divine appointment, by which Joshua was set over them, and they did it heartily, and with a great deal of cheerfulness and resolution. I. They promise him obedience (Josh. 1:16), not only as subjects to their prince, but as soldiers to their general, of whose particular orders they are to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:16

And they answered Joshua ,.... The two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, the heads of them, such as were deputed for that purpose, and were their mouths to him: saying, all that thou commandest we will do ; with respect to this affair of going over Jordan with their brethren, to assist them in the conquest of the land of Canaan: and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go ; in what position he would have them be in the army, and to whatsoever part of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:17

According as we have hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee ,.... Not right or wrong, but in all things that were according to the laws and will of God made known to them; and particularly it may refer to the above affair, which was settled between Moses and them, to whom they then hearkened, and now promise to confirm the same, and hearken to whatsoever orders and instructions Joshua should give them relative to it, according to the plan agreed upon: only the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:16

All that thou commandest us we will do - Here they acknowledge the Divine mission of Joshua, as they had done that of Moses, and consequently promise to follow his directions in all things. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:17

Only the Lord thy God be with thee - Provided God be with thee, as he was with Moses, we will implicitly obey thee. The words however may mean no more than an earnest prayer for Joshua's prosperity: May God be with thee, as he was with Moses! read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:16

Verse 16 16.And they answered, etc They not only acquiesce, but freely admit and explicitly detail the obedience which they owe. Our obligations are duly discharged only when we perform them cheerfully, and not in sadness, as Paul expresses it. (2 Corinthians 9:7.) If it is objected that there is little modesty in their boast of having been obedient to Moses whom they had often contradicted, I answer, that though they did not always follow with becoming ardor, yet they were so much disposed to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:10-18

Joshua and the Reubenites. The Reubenites and Gadites had already settled on the banks of the Jordan. They were at rest; they had not to await the ordeal of the conquest. As far as they were concerned, they had already received the promise. And yet they were not to be allowed to remain in idleness, and in selfish enjoyment of their own good. They were not to forget their brethren. "Ye shall pass before your brethren armed," said Joshua, "and help them." "And they answered Joshua, saying,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:16

EXPOSITION THE PEOPLE 'S ANSWER .— And they answered Joshua, saying. We may compare this joyful willingness with the murmurings of the people in the wilderness, and their rebellion after the death of those who led them into the promised land (cf. Joshua 24:31 with 2:10 , 2:11 , etc). Obedience is easy when all goes well with us, and when it makes no demand upon our faith. The Israelites murmured when the promise was as yet unfulfilled. They rebelled against God when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:16-18

The people's answer. This passage can only be interpreted of Jesus, of whom Joshua was the type. Implicit obedience is no longer due to any human leader, nor has been since Joshua's death. Even a St. Paul can say, "I speak as to wise men, judge ye what I say" ( 1 Corinthians 10:15 ). And St. Peter urges the clergy to remember that they are not "lords over God's heritage" ( 1 Peter 5:8 ). And this because we each "have access by one Spirit to the Father by the faith of Jesus Christ" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:16-18

Loyalty. A demand had been made that the "men of valour" of these tribes should leave their relatives and property in the fenced cities of their inheritance, and head the advance of the Israelites into Canaan. A call to a dangerous position, to bear, as it seemed, the brunt of the enemy's attack; a summons to exercise self denial in absence from home and possessions; the precept issuing, too, from unaccustomed lips, those of a new general. These verses record a courageous, generous... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 1:16-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:10-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:16-18

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