Joshua 11:4-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 11:1-9

We are here entering upon the story of another campaign that Joshua made, and it was a glorious one, no less illustrious than the former in the success of it, though in respect of miracles it was inferior to it in glory. The wonders God then wrought for them were to animate and encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war carried on by the preaching of the gospel against Satan's kingdom was at first forwarded by miracles; but, the war being by them sufficiently proved to be of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:4

And they went out ,.... The several kings and people sent to; these went out from the places they inhabited: they and all their hosts with them ; the kings of those several places, with their armies: much people, even as the sand that is upon the seashore in multitude ; a proverbial expression, to denote an exceeding great number: with horses and chariots very many ; being supplied with horses from Egypt, and their chariots were chariots of iron; see Judges 4:3 ; Josephus ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:5

And when all those kings were met together ,.... At some certain place, which Jabin had appointed: they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom : Josephus F1 Ibid. (Antiq. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 8.) says it was at Berotha; perhaps it should be Merotha, a city of upper Galilee, not far from Cedesa, the same he elsewhere calls F2 De Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 20. sect. 6. Meroth, These waters are the same with the lake Samachonitis, on which Hazor was situated; so that it was near... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:6

And the Lord said unto Joshua, be not afraid because of them ,.... Of their number, of their horsemen, and of their scythed chariots; which might at first hearing occasion some fear and dread. And according to Josephus F6 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 18. , the multitude of them terrified both Joshua and the Israelites; and therefore the Lord appeared and spoke to him for his encouragement: though what was said was for the sake of the Israelites, and to animate them who might be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:7

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them ,.... Being encouraged by the Lord, they set out with Joshua at the head of them, to fight the kings and their forces. It is highly probable that these were not the whole body of armed men in the camp of Israel, but a select company Joshua took of them, and who would be able to make quicker marches on this expedition: by the waters of Merom suddenly ; the Targum is,"they lay by the waters of Merom;'as they were thoughtless... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:8

And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel ,.... The whole host, who either were killed or wounded, or put to flight: it was of the Lord that Israel was directed to make so quick a march, and come upon them so suddenly, and that they were off their guard, and unprovided for them, and so fell into their hands: who smote them ; with the edge of the sword killed and wounded great numbers; and the rest fleeing, they chased them unto great Zidon ; not that there was another Zidon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:9

And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him ,.... Namely, in the following instances: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire ; not consulting his own worldly interest or that of the people of Israel, but the command of God, which he carefully obeyed, and reserved none for himself or them, as David in another case afterwards did; see 2 Samuel 8:4 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 11:4

Much people , even as the sand - This form of speech, by some called a hyperbole, conveys simply the idea of a vast or unusual number - a number of which no regular estimate could be easily formed. Josephus, who seldom finds difficulties in such cases, and makes no scruple of often speaking without book, tells us that the allied armies amounted to 300,000 foot 10,000 horse, and 20,000 chariots of war. Antiq. lib. v., c. 1. That chariots were frequently used in war, all the records... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 11:5

The waters of Merom - Where these waters were, interpreters are not agreed. Whether they were the waters of the Lake Semechon, or the waters of Megiddo, mentioned Judges 5:19 , cannot be easily determined. The latter is the more probable opinion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 11:6

Be not afraid - of them - To meet such a formidable host so well equipped, in their own country, furnished with all that was necessary to supply a numerous army, required more than ordinary encouragement in Joshua's circumstances. This communication from God was highly necessary, in order to prevent the people from desponding on the eve of a conflict, in which their all was at stake. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 11:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 11:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 11:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 11:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 11:6

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