Commentary on Joshua, Commentary · Chapter 11
Chap. 11.
ANd when Iabin King of Hazor had heard this, then hee sent to Iobab King of Madon, and to the King of Shimron, and to the King of Achshaph,
2 And vntounto the Kinges that were by the North in the mountains, and plaines, towarde the Southside of Cinneroth, and in the vallies, and in the borders of Dor Westward,
3 And vntounto the Chanaanites both by East & by West, and vntounto the Amorites, and Hittites, and Perizzites, and Iebusites, in the mountaines, and vntounto the Hiuites vnderunder Hermon, in the land of Mizpeh:
4 And they came out, and all their hoastes with them, many people, as the sand that is on the Sea shoare for multitude, with horses and charriots exceeding many.
5 So all these Kinges met together, and came, and pitched together at the waters of Merom, for to fight against Israel.
6 Then the Lord saide vntounto Ioshue, Be not afraide for them: for to morrowe about this time will I deliuer them all slaine before Israel. Thou shalt hough their horses, & burne their charriots wtih fire.
7 Then came Ioshue, and all the men of warre with him, against them, by the waters of Merom, soudeinly, and fell vponupon them.
8 And the Lord gaue them into the hand of Israel, and they smote them, and chased them vntounto great Sidon, and vntounto Misrephothmaim, and vntounto the vallie of Mizpeh Eastwarde, and smote them, vntill they had none remaining of them.
9 And Ioshue did vntounto them, as the Lorde bade him: hee houghed their horses, and burnt their charriots with fire.
10 At that time also Ioshue turned backe, and tooke Hazor, and smote the King thereof with the sworde: for Hazor before time, was the head of all those kingdomes.
11 Moreouer, they smote all the persons that were therin, with the edge of the sworde, vtterly destroying all, leauing' none aliue, and he burnt Hazor with fire.
12 So all the cities of those Kings, and all the Kings of them did Ioshue take, and smote them with the edge of the sworde, and vtterly destroyed them, as Moses the seruante of the Lorde had commaunded.
13 But Israel burnt none of the cities that stoode still in their strength, saue Hazor only, that Ioshue burnt.
14 And all the spoile of these cities, and the cattell, the children of Israel tooke for their praie, but they smote euerie man with the edge of the sworde, vntill they had destroyed them, not leauing one aliue.
1 When Iabin, &c.) In this new conspiracie also doth shine the louing care of God, more than fatherlie, in preuenting the daungers of his seruantes: and also his merciemercy and kindenesse, in helping their infirmitie. If Iabin with his confederates, which are nowe mentioned, had ioyned with the former Kinges, the weight of the warre would hauehave lien more heauie vppon the Israelites, and greater care and doubtfulnesse would hauehave troubled them. Indeed it had bene as easie for God, to hauehave ouerthrowen that huge armie all together, and to hauehave deliuered them from all feare and terror at once: but he would not presse his people that were but weake out of measure: that by setting against them, such an infinite multitude at once, they might be ouercome with to much feare and trembling. Wherefore, he restrained manie nations, that otherwise might sooner hauehave armed themselues, and kept them as it were a sleepe in astonishment: vntill his chosen people, by such notable victories as they obteined, were made more bold and couragious to take in hand the rest of the warres. First therefore they waste and spoile a large countrie, and leaue it bare, both of inhabitantes, and riches. None of the next adioyning nations, which should hauehave restrained them, once stirreth against them. They returne backe to visite their wiues and children. When they had well reposed them selues, and are in a redinesse to make new warre: soudeinly there is raised against thē an exceeding great armie, gathered of diuerse nations, which vntill this time had sitten still, and geuen them leisure to conquer. For that they were no sooner awakened, it was as good, as if they had graunted a truce with them. Wherefore God did not only fight for his chosen people: but also by diuiding their enimies into sundrie factions, did mightly increase the forces of his souldiers. Howe terrible shoulde this assault hauehave bene, if the Israelites, by little and little, had not bene accustomed to set vppon their enimies holdly, and had tried manifestly, that God was at hand to helpe them? The multitude is compared to the sande of the Sea, then is rehearsed their chariottes and horsemen: at which furniture it is meruell, that they were not altogether discouraged, which had no horsemen at all. Wherefore they were brought forward by degrees, euen as their abilitie was able to beare. For certeinly, in the former battelles, he did but only exercise them as it were but in pleasant pastimes of warre. And then by many victories oftentimes obteined, he testified his power, that it should not be lesse esteemed, than it was meete it should be. For if they had bene all discomfited at once, in deede the praises of God should hauehave bene notably celebrated: but the memorie of the victorie would soone hauehave fallen into forgetfulnesse. Wherefore it was meete, that many argumentes of Gods prouidence and power, should be distinctly and seuerally set forth, left men would hauehave ascribed one victorie only, to Fortune.
6 The Lorde saide, &c.) The more harde and difficult it was, to ouerthrowe so mightie and well furnished an armie: so much the more necessarie it was for them to be newly confirmed in faith, that they might hauehave good courage. Wherefore God appeareth to his seruant Iosue, and promiseth, that he woulde giuegive him the same successe, which he had done in his other warres before. And we must note diligently, that so often as he repeateth his promises, men are admonished either of their forgetfulnesse, or of their siouthfulnesse, or of their lightnesse. For except newe and fresh nourishmentes be often times added to our faith, they will soone waxe cold and vanish away. And yet we are sicke of a froward lothsomnesse, that almost it greeueth vsus, to heare one thinge twise. Wherefore let vsus learne, whensoeuer newe conflictes are at hande, to call to our minde the promise of God, which may reforme our slouthfulnesse, and stirre vp our dulnesse. Especially, that which is spoken generally, we must applie it to our daily vse: like as now God doeth especially confirme in the present matter in hand, that which he had pronounced of all the nations. But by the circumstance of the time it may be gathered, that those Kinges, had set them selues forwarde a good way in their iorney, that they might hauehave set vponupon Iosue, and the people in Gilgal. For immediatly after the answer of God, is added the iorney of Iosue. And the victorie is promised the next day, therefore they were not farre off. And the lake Meram, where they had pitched their campe, which adioyneth vntounto Iordan, is neerer to Gilgal than Genasara, out of which coast part of the enimies were come. For they say, that this lake doeth either diminish or increase, as the snowe is either hardened in the mountaines, or else mealceth downe. But where commandement is giuen to Iosue, and the people, to hough the horses, and burne the charriots, no doubt but it did signifie, that all such principall furniture of warre, as was in vse with the prophane nations, must be taken away from the people of God. For he would hauehave them to hold warres, and valiantly to fight against their enimies, but so, that they should depend onelyonly vponupon God: that they might remember, that they were valiant by his power, that they might trust onelyonly in him: which could scarse hauehave bene, if they had bene furnished with horsmen and charriots. For we knowe that glorious furniture doeth dazell our eyes: and make our minds dronke with proude confidence. Therefore, a lawe was geuen, that the Kinges should not multiplie vntounto them selues horses and charriots: because nothing was more like to fall out, Deu. 17. 16.than that they should transferre to their munitions, that which God did challenge peculiarly tohim selfe. Hereof came that cōmon saying: Some in charriots, some in horses: but we will aduaunce our Psal. 20. 8.standard in the name of the Lorde our God. God would also take from his people the matter of foolish boldenesse, that they might be quiet and content with their owne boundes, and not to set vponupon their neighbours vniustly. And experience hath taught, that when frowarde ambition moued their Kinges to prepare horses, they tooke in hand warres no lesse rashly, than they ended them vnluckily. Wherefore it was neede, that the horses beeing houghed, should be made vnprofitable for the warres, and that the charriots should be destroyed, lest the Israelites should be accustomed to the maners of the Gentiles.
8 The Lord deliuered, &c.) The greatenesse of the slaughter is hereof gathered, that they were slaine, euen vntounto Sidon, which is farre distant from the lake Merom. And it was called great Sidon, because it was a great mart, & a verie populous citie aboue the rest. For it is not compared with another lesser citie of the same name. The Hebrue word MOZEREPHOTH, which some retaine as a proper name, I thought good to translate, Heates: because it is like, that hotte waters did there spring out of the grounde. And as that great feare, which caused them to runne away so fast, did openly shewe, that they were driuen headlong, by a secret instinct of God: so it is certeine, that the Israelites, which durst pursue them in their flight, through so manie dangers, were caried with heauenly force aboue the strength of men. Then is praised as well the abstinence of Iosue, as his redie obedience: for except the feare of God had preuailed in him, he would not willingly hauehave lost so many horses and charriots: for such is our readie inuention to finde out pretences, that we would hauehave gladly pretended, that although he did not make them serue for the warres, yet the price of them was not to be despised, if they had bene solde. But Iosue thought it not good to consider any thing, but that which pleased God. Now, because he had obteined, through his vertue, that he had the people tractable and obedient, that which was performed by all men, is reckoned in the praise of one man.
12 All the cities of these Kinges, &c,) When the armie was throughly discomfited, then they began to waste & spoile the contrie, & to take & sacke the cities. Where it is said, that the cities, which remained vntouched, were not burned, thereof we may gather a likely coniecture, that some were taken by force and assault, and so destroyed. Only Hazor, after it was taken, & the heate appeased, was consumed with fire: because it was the firebrand to kindle the rest vntounto warre. Moreouer, that which we hauehave seene before, that Iosue refrained not the heate of his wrath, vntill he had slaiue all, from the greatest to the least, it is often and plainely repeated in this place. For that which before was not expressed, is now plainely set downe: that Iosue did faithfully perfourme his duetie, because he accomplished that, which God by Moses had commaunded. Therefore, it was euen as much, as if he had consecrated his handes vntounto God, when he destroyed those nations, according to his commandement. For thus we must take it, though all the world condemne vsus, yet it is sufficient to discharge vsus of all crime, that we hauehave God for our authour. In the meane time, we must wisely consider, what euerie mans vocation requireth: that no man take vponupon him to followe Iosue in the licentiousnesse of his owne zeale, least he be iudged a cruel bloudsucker, rather than a seuere minister of God.
15 As the Lorde had commaunded Moses his seruant, so did Moses commaunde Ioshue, and so did Ioshue: he left nothing vndone of all that the Lord had commaunded Moses.
16 So Ioshue tooke all this land of the mountaines, and all the South, and all the land of Goshen, and the lowe countrie, and the plaine, and the mountaine of Israel, and the lowe countrie of the same,
17 From the mount Halak, that goeth vp to Seir, euen vntounto Baal-gad in the vallie of Lebanon, vnderunder mount Hermon: and all their Kings he tooke, and smote them, and slewe them.
18 Ioshue made warre long time with all those Kinges.
19 Neither was there any citie that made peace with the children of Israel, saue those Hiuites that inhabited Gibeon: all other they tooke by battell.
20 For it came of the Lorde, to harden their heartes, that they should come against Israel in battell, to the intent that they shuld destroy them vtterly, and shewe them no merciemercy: but that they should bring them to nought: as the Lorde had commaunded Moses.
21 And that same season came Ioshue, and destroyed the Anakims out of the mountaines: as out of Hebron, out of Debir, out of Anab, and out of all the mountaines of Iudah, and out of all the mountaines of Israel: Ioshue destroyed them vtterly with their cities.
22 There was no Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel: onelyonly in Azzah, in Gath, and in Ashdod were they left.
23 So Ioshue tooke the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said vntounto Moses: and Ioshue gaue it for an inheritance vntounto Israel, according to their portions, through their tribes: then the land was at rest without warre.
16 And Iosue tooke, &c.) In the continuall course of these victories, when the land of it selfe did spue out the olde inhabitantes, to giuegive place vntounto the Israelites, it did openly appeare, which is said in the Psalme, Although they fought valiantly, yet they conquered Psal. 44. 4.not the land with their swordes, nor … them selues with their owne arme, but by the hand, and arme, and brightnesse of the countenance of God they obteined all thinges. For this purpose the places and regions are reckoned vp, that we may knowe, that God proceeded with a continuall course in that woorke which he began. But they are deceiued, which thinke a certeine mountaine to be noted by the name of Israel, because it will appeare in the end of the Chapter, that the hillie part is indifferently called by the name of Israel and Iuda. Wherefore, the singular number is put for the plurall: because the mountaines of the tenne tribes are compared with the mountaines of Iuda. Therefore this opposition must be vnderstood. In the other hill the name is doubtful, some take it for a diuision, as though the hill were cutte in two partes, other for smooth, because it was without trees, like as a mans heade becommeth smooth with baldnesse. Let the readers take their choise in a matter vncerteine and of small effect.
18 Many dayes, &c.) Before, within a short time, and as it were with a swift course, he had conquered fiue kingdomes: in the rest there was another respect, not through slacknesse, or wearinesse, or idlenesse: but because God did exercise his people diuersly, that his manifold grace might appeare more manifestly: which for the most part is not esteemed of vsus, if it shewe it selfe all after one manner. Therefore, like as before, that wonderfull easinesse of victories did set foorth the power of God: so this lingering warfare, did declare the redie helpe of God by many documentes. Neither did it so happen soudenly and vnlooked for: for God shewed aforehand by Moses, that it should so come to passe, least if the lande were streight way made desolate, the wilde beastes would increale vponupon Deut. 7. 22.it. Finally, we see here, as it were in a glasse, that whatsoeuer God promised by Moses, was performed in deede and plaine effect. But with the truth of the promises we must also consider the singular fauour of God toward his chosen people, that as a prouident and carefull housholder, he neglected or omitted not any thing, that might serue for their profit.
19 There was no citie which made peace, &c.) At the first sight it is contrarie to this sentence, that which is often repeted by Moses, Exod. 23. 32. Deut. 7. ….that the Israelites should not make any couenant with those nations, nor admitte any conditions of peace, but vtterly consume and destroy their race …s…ed their name. Therefore, seeing they were excluded from all couenantes, and should hauehave desired peace in vaine, it is against reason, that their destruction should be imputed to their owne stubbornesse, when they coulde by no entreatie hauehave obteined pardon. For suppose they had sent Embassadours with oliue branches, & hauehave desired peace: Iosue would streight hauehave answered, that it was not lawfull for him to enter into any treatie with them, because God had forbidden him. Wherefore, if they had assaied an hundred wayes to hauehave auoyded the warre, yet they must needs hauehave ben destroyed. Why are they blamed therefore, that they did not desire peace? As though they were not constrained of necessitie to fight, when they sawe they had to doe with such a people, as would not be pacified. Wherefore, seeing they could not do otherwise, the fault is vniustly laied to their charge, that being constreined they set themselues against the furie of their enimies. I answeare, although the Israelites were forbidden to receiue them to merciemercy, yet that the warre might be iust they were interteined with hostilitie. And that was wonderfully gouerned by the secret prouidence of God, that they, which were appointed to destruction, shoulde offer themselues thereto, and by prouoking the Israelites, should procure their owne ouerthrowe and vtter decay. Therefore God, which forbad that any pittie should be shewed on them, draue them into such a furie, that they might not be worthie to hauehave any merciemercy bestowed vponupon them. And in this behalfe it was not meete the people should be to curious or inquisitiue. For when God on the one side forbad them to enter into any couenant: yet would not hauehave them to shewe any hostilitie, except they were iustly prouoked, to doubtfull a disputation would hauehave troubled their mindes. Wherefore, this was the only way to be rid of this perplexitie, to cast all their care on God alone. And he himselfe, according to his incomprehensible wisedome, prouided, that when they came to the point, the course of the people should not be hindered with any let. So the Kings beyond Iordan, when they had first armed themselues, suffered punishment worthily of their rashnesse. For the Israelites did not set vppon them with open warre, before they were prouoked. Likewise, after the same manner, the Citizens of Iericho, when they shut their gates, offered warre themselues. The like stubbornesse was in the rest, which after the same sort gaue the Israelites occasion to fight. Now it appeareth, how aptly these thinges agree together, that God commanded Moses, that the nations, which he had appointed to destruction, should be vtterly defaced, and rooted out: and therefore he doeth open a way for his decree to take place, when he hardeneth the reprobate. Therefore, in the first degree is placed the will of God, that it might hauehave the preeminence, as the cheefe cause.
For, because their iniquitie was come vp to the full, he determined to destroy them. Wherevppon proceeded the commaundement of God geuen to Moses, which yet should hauehave had no effect, except the people had bene armed to execute the iudgement of God, through the obstinacie and stubbornesse of them that were to be destroyed. For this end doeth God harden them, that they may turne themselues away from obteining of merciemercy: therfore this hardnesse is called his woorke, because it establisheth the effect of his purpose. Now, if they which feigne that God doeth spie out of Heauen, what the pleasure of men is, go about to darken with their cloudes so plaine a matter, and cannot abide that by his secret working the hearts of men shoulde be bridled, what else shall they do but bewray their owne impudencie? They will graunt no more to God, but that he doeth permit: so they hang his purpose vponupon the will of man. But what saith the holie Ghost? That their hardening was of God, that he might cast downe headlong, them that he would hauehave to be destroyed.
21 And Ioshue came, &c.) We hauehave heard in an other place, what the sonnes of Anak were. They were a race of Giantes, with whose tallnesse the spies terrified the people, so that they woulde not goe forwarde into the land of Chanaan. Wherefore, seeing they were so terrible, it was a woorthie woorke to take them away, that the people might be more cheerefull to hope well of their affaires. For it had bene a verie hurtefull thing, that such a sight should hauehave remained, which daily should hauehave vexed and greeued them: for feare would hauehave darkened the glory of God in the former victories, and would hauehave ouerwhelmed their faith, when they did cast in their minde, that the hardest battell of all did yet still remaine. Wherefore, not without cause, this is remembred among other helpes of God, that the lande being purged from such monsters, was graunted to be a quiet dwelling place vntounto the people. For the lesse credible that it was, that they might be vanquished, the more notable was the power of God in conquering them.
23 Ioshue tooke, &c.) Although Iosue was farre off from being conquerer of all the lande: yet it is truely saide, that he obteined the whole lande, as God testified to Moses: by which worde the Deut. 7. 22.generall sentence is restrained. For this exception was added by name, that the dominion, which God promised, should not be obteined, but by little and little: lest they should afterward hauehave bene troubled to fight against cruell and sauage beastes, if they should hauehave cast them selues into a waste wildernesse. Wherefore, although GOD had not yet placed the people in possession of the promised lande: yet he performed his couenant, according to the condition with which it was made: because he gaue them conuenient interteinement, and as much as sufficed them for the present time. And by the wordes may be gathered, that other coastes are comprehended, which were not yet come into their hande and full possession. For it is saide, that he did distribute according to their families, that which he had conquered. But afterwarde we shall see in the portion, that lottes were cast for those countries, which were subdued vntounto the gouernement of the people, after the death of Iosue, yea many hundred yeares after. Now the sense of the wordes is manifest, that while Iosue was yet aliue, the promise was begonne to be exhibited, so that they neede not doubt, to diuide the whole lande by lottes.