Joshua 8:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 8:1-2

Israel were very happy in having such a commander as Joshua, but Joshua was more happy in having such a director as God himself; when any difficulty occurred, he needed not to call a council of war who had God so nigh unto him, not only to answer, but even to anticipate, his enquiries. It should seem, Joshua was now at a stand, had scarcely recovered the discomposure he was put into by the trouble Achan gave them, and could not think, without fear and trembling, of pushing forward, lest there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:2

And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst to Jericho and her king ,.... Burn the one and slay the other: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves ; which they were not allowed to do at Jericho: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it ; at the west side of it: some have called in question the lawfulness of the ambush, but, as this was appointed by the Lord, there is no room for it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 8:1-29

Renewed effort after disaster. The Christian warfare, whether from an individual or from a general point of view, is no record of invariable success. The career of each Christian, as of the Christian Church, is a chequered course. It has its periods of triumph and its moments of disaster. We learn here many valuable lessons as to our conduct under adverse circumstances. I. WE ARE NOT TO INDULGE DESPONDENCY . II. WE MUST GIVE HONOUR WHERE HONOUR IS DUE .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 8:2

Only the spoil thereof. Ai was not solemnly devoted, like Jericho, though (see Deuteronomy 20:16 , Deuteronomy 20:17 ) the Canaanitish people were. Behind it. Joshua was advancing from the southeast. The ambush ( אֹרֵב literally, "a lier in wait," here a band of liers in wait, the word itself originally signifying to plait, weave, hence to design ) was therefore (verse 12) on the opposite, or west side of the city. The question which has been raised whether God could rightly... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 8:2

Joshua 8:2. Thou shalt do to Ai as thou didst unto Jericho That is, overcome and destroy the city and people. This was enjoined to chastise their last insolence, and the triumphs and blasphemies which doubtless their success had produced: and to revive the dread and terror which had been impressed upon the Canaanites by Jericho’s ruin, and had been much abated by the late success of Ai. The spoil thereof shall ye take for a prey Neither the silver nor gold, nor any thing else, was... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:1-35

Victory in central Canaan (8:1-9:27)Now that the Israelites had removed the cause of their defeat, God promised Joshua victory over Ai. He added that on this occasion the Israelites could keep the plunder for themselves (8:1-2).Even with God’s assurance of victory, Joshua planned the attack thoroughly. One company of soldiers was to draw the men of Ai out of the city to fight, then a second company would come out of hiding to attack Ai from the rear (3-9). The plan worked perfectly. When the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 8:2

Jericho. Compare Joshua 6:21 . the cattle. Compare Deuteronomy 20:14 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 8:2

Ver. 2. Lay thee an ambush for the city, behind it— That is, to the west; for the camp of Gilgal was to the east of Ai. It is asked here, by some, "How happens it that God, who, by his infinite power, could so easily destroy Ai and its inhabitants, should make use of artifice and stratagem to procure victory to the Hebrews? The pagans themselves (they add) judged such arts unworthy of men of courage; (see for examples, Grotius de Jure B. & P. l. iii. c. 1. sect. 20.) and they seem beneath... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 8:1-2

In view of Israel’s defeat, God’s encouraging words were necessary to strengthen Joshua’s resolve (cf. Joshua 1:9). God promised to give victory, but He specified the strategy. This time the Israelites could keep the spoil themselves. "You shall take only" (Joshua 8:2) means, "Only you shall take." read more