Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:13

And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new ,.... That is, on the day they came out on their journey: and, behold, they be rent ; which were owing to the long use that had been made of them, as they pretended: and these our garments, and our shoes, are become old by reason of the very long journey : quite worn out through length of time and tedious travels. Isidore of Pelusium F17 L. 1. Ep. 281. thinks these Gibeonites were Cappadocians, of whom he gives a shocking... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 9:1-27

God's people off their guard. This chapter contains the record of a venial sin; an act, that is, which was rather one of thoughtlessness than of deliberate intention to offend. It is one thing to forget for a moment God's superintending providence, and to act without consulting Him. It is quite another to act systematically as if there were no God. Thus we read of no very serious results flowing from this inadvertence. God is "not extreme to mark what is done amiss," and distinguishes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 9:3-27

The submission of the Gibeonites. According to the explicit law of Moses (in Deuteronomy 20:10-18 ), there were three courses which Israel might pursue towards the cities they besieged: 1 . In the event of a city refusing to capitulate, they were, after taking it, to destroy all the males who survived, but take the women and the little ones and the spoil, and divide the same. This first course, however, was only to be pursued to such cities as were outside the boundaries of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:1-27

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 9:9-13

Ver. 9-13. And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come, &c.— Nothing can be more artful than this answer of the Gibeonites, to the prudent and close questions put by Joshua 1:0. Instead of saying, without evasion, whence they came, they again reply, that they came from afar. 2. They give him to understand that they were led to undertake this long journey from a motive of respect for the God of Israel; and, affecting to celebrate the wonders of his power in Egypt,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 9:1-27

5. The treaty with the Gibeonites ch. 9The residents of the town of Gibeon decided that if they could not defeat the Israelites they would join them. This has been a strategy that enemies of believers have employed for centuries (cf. Numbers 25:1-2). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 9:6-15

God had not forbidden the Israelites from making peace treaties with non-Canaanite peoples (Deuteronomy 20:11), but He had expressly commanded them not to make treaties with the native Canaanite tribes (Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12; Numbers 33:55; Deuteronomy 7:2).The Gibeonites deceived the Israelites with their diffident spirit (Joshua 9:8), as well as with their food and clothing (Joshua 9:12-13). They pretended to fear Yahweh, too, the highest motive for allying with Israel (Joshua 9:9-10),... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 9:1-24

In Joshua 9-11 inclusive we have the account of two great campaigns, in which Joshua successively defeats a confederacy of the petty kings of southern Palestine under the king of Jerusalem, and a combination of the northern chiefs under Jabin, king of Hazor. Joshua 12 concludes the narrative of the conquest, with a summary of the successes of Moses on the E. and of Joshua on the W. of Jordan. Critics have been much exercised by the apparent contrast of this narrative of the invasion with that... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 9:1-27

The League with the GibeonitesJoshua 9 forms an introduction to the narrative of the Southern campaign (Joshua 10). The Gibeonite cities were important enough both politically and geographically (see on Joshua 9:17 and Joshua 10:2) for their defection to frighten the surrounding kinglets into concerted action against Israel.1, 2. The petty kings combine against Israel.3. Gibeon] 2 m. N. of Jerusalem. For its importance see on Joshua 10:2, Joshua 10:10. 14. Took of their victuals] thus accepting... read more

Group of Brands