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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 10:1-6

Joshua and the hosts of Israel had now been a good while in the land of Canaan, and no great matters were effected; they were made masters of Jericho by a miracle, of Ai by stratagem, and of Gibeon by surrender, and that was all; hitherto the progress of their victories had not seemed proportionable to the magnificence of their entry and the glory of their beginnings. Those among them that were impatient of delays, it is probable, complained of Joshua's slowness, and asked why they did not... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 10:7-14

Here, I. Joshua resolves to assist the Gibeonites, and God encourages him in this resolve. 1. He ascended from Gilgal (Josh. 10:7), that is, he designed, determined, and prepared for, this expedition to relieve Gibeon, for it is probable it was before he stirred a step that God spoke to him to encourage him. It was generous and just in Joshua to help his new allies, though perhaps the king of Jerusalem, when he attacked them, little thought that Joshua would be so ready to help them, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:6

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal ,.... Which some think they did when besieged, and not before, which showed their faith in the power of God, whom they now professed; but it is not likely that they should defer sending for help so long, since it is reasonable to suppose they might have heard of the design of the five kings against them; or that they should be able to send out messengers when surrounded on all sides; it may be better therefore to render the words,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:7

So Joshua ascended from Gilgal ,.... Which lay low in the plains of Jericho: he and all the men of war with him ; which must not be understood of the whole camp of Israel, which consisted of five hundred thousand fighting men at least; since such a number was unnecessary for this expedition, and could not have proceeded with that haste the case required; nor would it have been prudent and advisable to have left the unarmed people, old men, women, and children, defenceless; but these were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:8

And the Lord said unto Joshua ,.... Either when upon the march, and while he was proceeding on in his journey to the assistance of the Gibeonites, or rather before he set out; and it is highly probable he consulted the Lord on this occasion, having, it may be, some doubt on his mind, whether he should go to their assistance, since the league between them was obtained by fraud; and the words may be rendered, "and the Lord hath said" F14 ויאמר "et dixerat", Masius, Drusius, Junius &... read more

John Gill

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

Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly ,.... Which no doubt threw them into consternation and confusion: and went up from Gilgal all night ; he chose the night for secrecy and surprise, and that he might be the sooner with the enemy, and to the assistance and relief of Gibeon; and as it was about nine or ten miles from Gilgal to Gibeon, it was easily performed in a night's march; See Gill on Joshua 9:6 . read more

John Gill

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

And the Lord discomfited them before Israel ,.... Disturbed, troubled, and frightened them, at the appearance and presence of the people of Israel; they were thrown into terror and confusion upon their approach, being so sudden and unexpected: and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon ; by the Israelites, who came upon them suddenly: and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron ; there were two places of this name, the upper and the nether, both built by Sherah, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 10:11

And it came to pass, as they fled before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron ,.... The descent of it on that side towards Azekah, and which was also a very narrow passage, of which Josephus F19 De Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 19. sect. 7, 8. makes mention. The Jews say F20 Gloss. in T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 54. 2. , that the going down of Bethhoron was the place where the army of Sennacherib fell: that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 10:9

Joshua - came unto them suddenly - This he did by a forced march during the night, for he went up from Gilgal all night; from Gilgal to Gibeon was about eighteen or twenty miles; and, having fallen so unexpectedly on these confederate kings, they were immediately thrown into confusion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 10:10

Slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon - Multitudes of them fell in the onset; after which they fled, and the Israelites pursued them by the way of Beth-horon. There were two cities of this name, the upper and lower, both in the tribe of Ephraim, and built by Sherah, the daughter of Ephraim, 1 Chronicles 7:24 . The situation of these two cities is not exactly known. To Azekah , and unto Makkedah - These two cities were in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:35-41 ... read more

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