Commentary on Joshua, Commentary · Chapter 8
Chap. 8.
AFTER, the Lorde saide vntounto Ioshua, Feare not, neither be thou faint hearted: take all the men of warre with thee, and arise, goe vp to Ai: behold, I hauehave giuen into thine hande the King of Ai, and his people, and his Citie, and his lande.
2 And thou shalt doe to Ai, and to the King thereof: as thou diddest to Iericho, & to the King thereof: neuerthelesse, the spoile thereof, & the cattell thereof, shall ye take vntounto you for a pray: thou shalt lie in waite against the Citie on the backeside thereof.
3 Then Ioshua arose, and all the men of warre to goe vp against Ai: and Ioshua chose out thirtie thousande strong men, and valiant, and sent them away by night.
4 And he commaunded them, saying, Beholde, ye shall lie in waite against the Citie on the backeside of the Citie: goe not verie farre from the Citie, but be ye all in a readinesse.
5 And I, and all the people that are with me, will approche vntounto the Citie: and when they shall come out against vsus, as they did at the first time, then will we flee before them.
6 For they will come out after vsus, till we hauehave brought them out of the citie: for they will say, They flee before vsus, as at the first time: so we will flee before them.
7 Then you shall rise vp from lying in waite, and destroy the citie: for the Lord your God will deliuer it into your hand.
8 And when ye hauehave taken the citie, ye shall set it on fire: according to the commaundement of the Lord shall ye doe: beholde, I hauehave charged you.
9 Ioshua then sent them forth, and they went to lie in waite, and abode betweene Beth-el and Ai, on the West side of Ai: but Ioshua lodged that night among the people.
10 And Ioshua rose vp earely in the morning, and numbered the people: and he, and the Elders of Israel, went vp before the people against Ai.
11 Also all the men of warre that were with him went vp, and drewe neere, and came against the citie, & pitched on the Northside of Ai: and there was a vallie betweene them and Ai:
12 And he tooke about fiue thousand men, and set them to lie in waite betweene Beth-el and Ai, on the West side of the citie.
13 And the people set all the host that was on the Northside against the citie, and the liers in waite on the West, against the citie: and Ioshua went the same night into the middest of the vallie.
14 And when the King of Ai sawe it, then the men of the citie hasted and rose vp earely, and went out against Israel to battell, he and all his people at the time appointed, before the plaine: for he knew not that any lay in waite against him on the backside of the citie.
15 Then Ioshua and all Israel, as beaten before them, fled by the way of the wildernesse.
16 And all the people of the citie were called together, to pursue after them: and they pursued after Ioshua, and were drawen away out of the citie.
17 So that there was not a man left in Ai, nor in Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the citie open, and pursued after Israel.
18 Then the Lord said vntounto Ioshua, Stretch out the speare that is in thine hand toward Ai, for I will geue it into thine hand: and Ioshua stretched out the speare that he had in his hand, toward the citie.
19 And they that lay in wayte, arose quickly out of their place, and ranne as soone as he had stretched out his hand, & they entred into the citie, and tooke it, and hasted, and set the citie on fire.
20 And the men of Ai looked behinde them, and sawe it: for loe, the smoke of the citie ascended vp to heauen, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: for the people that fled to the wildernesse, turned backe vponupon the pursuers.
21 When Ioshua and all Israel sawe that they that lay in wayte, had taken the citie, and that the smoke of the citie mounted vp, then they turned againe, and slue the men of Ai.
22 Also the other issued out of the citie against them: so were they in the middest of Israel, these being on the one side, and the rest on the other side: and they slue them, so that they let none of them remaine nor escape.
23 And the King of Ai they tooke aliue, and brought him to Ioshua.
24 And when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, that is, in the wildernesse, where they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, vntill they were consumed, all the Israelites returned vntounto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sworde.
25 And all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelue thousand, euen all the men of Ai.
26 For Ioshua drewe not his hand backe againe, which he had stretched out with the speare, vntill he had vtterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
27 Only the cattell and the spoile of this citie, Israel tooke for a pray vntounto them selues, according vntounto the worde of the Lorde, which he commanded Ioshua.
28 And Ioshua burnt Ai, and made it an heape for euer, and a wildernesse vntounto this day.
29 And the King of Ai he hanged on a tree, vntounto the euening. And as soone as the sunne was downe, Ioshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entring of the gate of the citie, and lay thereon a great heape of stones, that remaineth vntill this day.
1 And the Lorde said, &c.) It was to great purpose to encourage Iosue & the people a fresh, that they might cheerefully addresse themselues to assault the citie of Hai, from which with some losse, & greater shame, they were repulsed. God therefore, that they might take vponupon them this enterprise without feare, promiseth that he will deliuer the citie vntounto them. For the same reason and purpose, he commaundeth them to fight by policie, rather than with open force, to traine out their enimies, and to lay a stale for them to entrap them unwares. For it had bene an easie matter, that a fewe thousandes should be ouerthrown, with an infinite multitude, if they had set open the citie soudenly & at all aduentures. But because we heard before, that all their heartes were mealted, God prouided for their infirmitie, to lay no more charge vponupon them, than they might well beare, vntill they were recouered from that ouermuch feare, and waxed more couragious to execute his commaundementes. It is true, that he vsed at this time their diligence, partly that they should not alwayes gape for miracles, and so become slouthfull, partly that in diuerse & vnlike kinds of his working, they might alwayes acknowledge the same power. But this speciall reason is not to be omitted, because they were not yet recouered out of their feare, they coulde scarse be drawne to an open battell: except the policie of entrapping their enimies had bene added for a succour. Although the promise hath the first place: Feare not, because I hauehave deliuered it into thy handes: which although by the worde, it seemeth to be directed to Iosue, yet doth it perteine to all the people indifferently: because it was most necessarie, that they should all and euerie one be deliuered out of doubtfulnesse, and furnished with newe confidence. And whereas he commaundeth the citie to be burned, as Iericho was: he seemeth to graunt that vntounto the greefe of the people, that the remembrance of the dishonour they receiued, might be abolished with this reuengement: but that they may take the iourney in hand more willingly, he leaueth the spoyle vntounto them, as a reward of their victorie.
13 Iosue arose, &c.) It is not like, that all the hoast was brought out of the campe, but that an armie was made out of the multitude, which was most accustomed to the warres. And hereof it appeareth, that it was a great armie, that he sendeth away fiue thousand to lie in wayte. For although it seemeth in the beginning, that fiue and thirtie thousand are reckoned, yet it is manifest by the context, that the number was not all so great. But rather I coniecture, that he ledde thirtie thousand himselfe, which should fight openly: and that fiue thousand were set apart by themselues, which shoulde lie in wayte. That Iosue doth speedily execute that charge that was geuen him, and taketh his iourney in the morning: by this great hasting is expressed, howe effectually the promise of God did worke in them. For if all their mindes had not bene deliuered from feare, he should neuer hauehave founde them so redie to obey. But it seemeth, that he doth not wisely sende from him so great a multitude, which by priuie wayes, should come to the place meete for the lying in wayte. For although they went quietly in neuer so good aray, yet with the onelyonly mouing of their feete, they must needes make a great noise. Now if any man will say, that no man mette them, because all the inhabitantes of the countrie, were fled out of the feeldes into the citie: it is tolde soone after, that before the Israelites came neere the citie, that their comming was knowne vntounto the King of Ha… which scarse coulde hauehave bene done without espialles. Now, to graunt that no man mette them in the feeldes: yet it was harde to passe by, and in the night to set the ambushment in a conuenient place, and that they should there stay, but that they should bewray themselues by some token or other. As touching the purpose of Iosue, although he sawe right well, that the turne might hauehave bene serued with a lesse companie, yet it seemeth that he was constreined through the late trembling of the people, to beware that he attempted nothing with daunger. For if a small crewe had bene sent from the hoast, perhaps they woulde hauehave refused the charge, by which they were driuen into so great and manifest daunger. In the meane time, God dealeth more than mercifully with his people, when he deliuereth their enimies so easily to be vanquished. But his maruellous fauour herein doth especially appeare, in that he so blindeth them al, that none of them could suspect the traine that was made for them. And I doubt not, but where it is said, that they knewe not, but the writer of the historie doth commende a rare and vnwoonted benefite of God: that he protected as it were with the shadowe of his hand, first thirtie thousand which Iosue ledde, and then the other fiue thousand, that none of their enimies espied them. Nowe, when fiue thousand are mentioned, I doe not so expounde it, as though Iosue sent a newe ambushment to lie in waite, as though the multitude which was alredie too great, had not bene sufficient: but onelyonly he sheweth now, howe he ordered the thirtie fiue thousand which he armed. For to what purpose should so great a multitude hauehave so small an aide: Nowe the same place is here noted, which before was appointed, where they were commanded to staie, which would not agree vntounto two ambushmentes.
15 And Ioshue, &c.) This was another practise, that while they feigned to runne away, they drew their enimies a great way off, that they should hauehave no refuge into the citie afterward, because it was set on fire, before they suspected that any euill was to be feared behinde them. For while the king of Hai pursueth the Israelites as vanquished, that part of the armie, which laie in secrete towardes Bethel, had time enough to take the citie, that the Citizens might know that they were vndone when it was too late to remedie it. For when they were driuen backe before, and many of them slaine, after they sawe their citie on fire, they were driuen to vtter despaire, and so inclosed, that none could escape. That some men make a question in this place, Whether it be lawfull to oppresse our enimies with craft and subtiltie, it proceedeth from grosse ignoraunce. For it is certaine, that warres are maintained, not onelyonly with hand strokes: but they are counted the best Captaines, which can doe more by arte and policie then by force: and he that by long practise is made subtile and craftie, is the best souldiour. Therefore, if the warre be lawfull, there is no doubt, but we may vse the accustomed artes of victorie: so that either when truce is taken, or any other way, we breake not our faith and promise.
17 And there remained not, &c.) By the context it will appeare, that some were taken in the Citie, and slaine: and therefore we must not vnderstande, that all, without exception, did issue out of the citie, as though olde men, and women, and children also came abroade into the feeldes: but the sense is, that no garison was lefte to keepe the Citie. The same he pronounceth of Bethel, wherevpon we may coniecture, that because Bethel was a litle towne, they warred not vnderunder their owne standard. Hereof it was, that because they were not able to defend their Citie, they forsooke it, & offered all their strength to the king of Hai, to whom perhaps they were tributaries. But whether they went vntounto the king of Hai, before the comming of the people of Israel, that they might meete wt both their forces ioyned together, that is vncertaine: yet it is like, that because they were not able to resist of them selues, they came vponupon agrement into Hai, which was a stronger & more populous Citie. Doubtlesse, they thought they could not otherwise be safe, except they were preserued vnderunder the shadow of the next citie, which farre exce'led theirs.
18 And the Lorde saide, &c.) This place teacheth, that either by the great strength of the Citie, or by the boldenesse of the Citizens, or by trembling of the people of Israel, the victorie was made harder to attaine to: because God, by the lifting vp of the speare, promiseth that he would take the Citie himselfe. For in a matter that had bene without doubtfulnesse, the token had bene superfluous. Wherefore, it is like that their minds were carefull and doubtfull, when God, by the hand of Iosue, lifteth vp a standard of crust, that they should not faint. Although soone after an other ende is noted, where it is saide, that the ambushment by this meanes was stirred vp & ranne. So that, if that were the signe of rising vp, it will not agree, that the vanquishing power of God was shewed by the speare, which should take all doubtfulnesse from them. But because it is not expressed, that this was the cause why the souldiers that lay in waite came foorth, for that they sawe the speare, it may be, that they came foorth of their owne accorde, either because it was high time, or else because the crie and the noise admonished them, that then the battell was in fighting. And verily, it is not credible, that they could see the speare beeing so farre off: namely, because Iosue stayed in the vallie. Morouer, if we say that the lifting vp of the speare, which serued for an other purpose, did profit them also to be more encouraged, therein is no absurditie at all. This ought to be certaine, that by the solemne token, they were assured of the happie successe of that battell: and secondly, that the purpose of Iosue was nothing else, but to encourage his souldiers by the commaundement of God. For it followeth at the length, that Iosue did not withdrawe his hande, before the citie, was taken, his enimies destroyed, and the warre finished. Whereby it appeareth, that in the middest of the conflict, he carried vp his speare as a signe of triumphe, that the Israelites should be in no doubt of the successe. For although he had them fight, and vse their weapons manfully: yet did he likewise declare, that they had already gotten the victorie. And although it doth somewhat darken the order of the storie, that one thing is twise repeated: yet the effect is manifest, that the children of Israel made as though they were afraid, when they retired. And that they beganne not to fight, before the Citizens of Hai were shut both from returning, and from defence of their citie: and that after the two armies beganne to fight, the other that lay in waite, arose and made such haste, that the flame of the citie being on fire, was seene, when their enimies turned their backes, whereby they might gather, that their citie was taken by the Israelites: but that the chiefest slaughter was made, when they that were in the citie came forth & met them, for then they were taken on both sides, that they could make no more delay, either by resisting or fleeing. Therfore being halfe dead through despaire, and brought into streightes, they were slaine on eueryevery side. But where it is sayed, that no slaughter was made in the citie before they returned, which fained that they ranne away, I doe so take it, that they ioyned their forces and rushed in, that they might gather the spoile, and kill as many as yet remained. If any man obiect, that it was burnt while the battell was in fighting: I answere, that some parte was set on fire, that both the armies might knowe, that the Israelites had taken it, but not that it was consumed with fire, for they could not redily both gather the prey, and driue it away: yea carrie forth the vesselles and other houshold …uffe, in a moment of time: and it had bene vnreasonable, wilfully to destroy the spoile, which God had geuen them. We see therefore, that the first fire was not kindled, to destroy the whole citie, but that parte which was on fire, was a signe of taking the whole citie, although the Israelites entred, without any resistaunce, in at the gates standing wide open. And that is soone after confirmed, while the burning of the citie is ascribed vntounto Iosue: not only because the citie was burnt vnderunder his conduct, but because he returning from the battell, caused it vtterly to be destroyed, as followeth immediatly, that he made it a heape and a perpetuall waste place.
25 And the number, &c.) The sense is not, that all they that were slaine were inhabitantes of Hai: but that whosoeuer dwelt there, were slaine: so that not one man escaped. For we sawe before, that the Citizens of Bethel were ioyned with them: and there is no mention made afterward of that citie. Wherevpon we may gather probably, that they forsooke their towne, which was not defensible, and gate them selues into a stronger place, which they thought might better be defended. The wordes therefore doe meane simply, that all they, which issued out of the citie, and which were found in the citie, were slaine eueryevery man. Although, if any man will referre this number vntounto the olde men, sicke men, children, and women, which were slaine within the walles, I will not striue with him. But if we consider that another litle towne was ioyned with the citie, which was not verie great nor populous of it self, it is more like, that they which were slaine in the feeld are comprehended also.
26 Ioshue withdrew not, &c.) Because by holding vp his speare, he gaue them a signe & token, as it were out of Heauen to hope well of the victorie: he ceased not to retaine their mindes, in the beholding thereof, vntil they had obteined the citie. By which continuance he shewed sufficiently, how farre off he was from ambition: that he shewed no token of baine ostentation and boasting. For it was as much as if he renounced the office of a Captaine, and ascribed the whole praise of the victorie vntounto God. How valiant a warrior he was, it appeareth by other places. And now he was redie enough to hauehave played the part of a good souldier, and that had bene more apt to get him glorie and renowme. But when his hand is as it were bound vntounto his speare, he doth only exhort his souldiers, that they would looke to God alone, vntounto whom he resigneth the successe of the battell. Neuerthelesse, he preuaileth more by standing so, still: than if he had ouerthrowne great heapes of the enimies on eueryevery side, and this rest of his, was more commendable, than any agilitie that could bee.
29 The King of Ai, &c.) Although it seemeth he was more sharpe and seuere, against the King of Hai, to satisfie the hatred of the people: yet I doubt not but his purpose was faithfully to execute the iudgement of GOD. Conquerours are wont to spare the liues of such Kinges as they hauehave taken, because their dignitie seemeth to drawe with it some reuerence: but among those nations the state & condition of the Kinges was otherwise, in whome God would especially declare, how much he detested their wickednesse, whome he had so long borne withall. For seeing they were all appointed to destruction, the vengeaunce of God did iustly appeare sharpe and seuere, in the heades themselues, from whom the cause of destruction proceeded against the residue. Adde herevnto, that this shamefull death executed vppon the Kinges, made the rascall people more reprochfull, lest the people through follie and vnsesonable pitic should hauehave bene slacked in destroying of them. And God of purpose deliuered the King aliue into the handes of Iosue, that his punishment might be made the more notable, and serue better for the example. If he had bene slaine at all aduentures in the brunt of the battell, he had bene exempt from this peculiar ignominie and shame. Now doeth God also doe execution vponupon his carcase after his death, yea after he was hanged, his bodie was cast at the gate of the citie, where he vsed to sit in his throne, and to exercise iudgementes. And a monument is set vp to continue the reproch vntounto the posteritie. Yet mention is made of his buriall: that we may knowe, that nothing was done vponupon a furious rage, because Iosue did Deut. 21. 23.diligently obserue that which is commanded in the lawe by Moses: namely, that such as were hanged on the gallowes, should be taken downe before the setting of the sunne, because it is an abhominable sight. And surely, as it is a point of humanitie to lay vp the dead bodies under the earth: so is it a barbarous crueltie to cast them foorth, to be torne in peeces of the wilde beastes and foules. Therefore, that the people should not be accustomed to barbarousnesse, God permitted them to hang vp male factours in such sort, as they should not suffer them to hang longer then one day vnburied. And that the people might geue better heede to their dutie in this behalfe, which otherwise they would hauehave neglected: Moses pronounceth, that eueryevery one that hangeth vponupon the tree is accursed: as if he should say, that the lande is defiled with that kinde of death, except the offence be immediately taken away.
30 Then Ioshue built an altar vntounto the Lord God of Israel, in Mount Ebal,
31 As Moses the seruant of the Lord had commaunded the children of Israel, as it is written in the boke of the Law of Moses. an altar of whole stone, ouer which no man had lift an yron: & they offered thereon burnt offerings vntounto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offeringes.
32 Also he wrote there vppon the stones, a rehersall of the Lawe of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their Iudges, stoode on this side of the Arke, and on that side, before the Priestes of the Leuites, which bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, as well the straunger, as he that is borne in the countrie: halfe of them were ouer against mount Getrizim, and halfe of them ouer against mount Ebal, as Moses the seruant of the Lord had commaunded before, that they should blesse the people of Israel.
34 Then afterwarde he read all the wordes of the Lawe, the blessings and curssings, according to all that is written in the booke of the Lawe.
35 There was not a worde of all that Moses had commaunded which Ioshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, as well before the women and the children, as the straunger that was conuersant among them.
30 Then Ioshue builded, &c.) This first extraordinarie sacrifice, God would hauehave to be offered vntounto him in the land of Chanaan: whereby the thankefulnesse of the people might be testified, and the land might beginne to be consecrated with a solemne ceremonie. For before this time they could not doe it freely, and in their owne ground, vntill they had obtained some voide region. There were two things, which God commanded at one time: that they should set vp an altar in Mounte Ebal: and secondarily, that they should sette Deut. 27. 2. 3. 4.vp two stones, and plaster them with plaster, in whiche they might write the lawe, that eueryevery one which passed by, might read it plainly. Now we read that both was faithfully performed. The third precept was rehearsing the blessinges and curssinges, which Iosue did likewise execute, with no lesse diligence. Now, to beginne with the altar, it is saide, that it was made according to the commaundement of God, of vnhewen stones: for whole stones, ouer which no yron hath bene lifted, are called rough & vnwroughte stones. This is especially prescribed of the altar, whereof mention is nowe made, Deut. 27. But the same lawe was geuen before generally of all other altars of stone. The reason why, is in vaine of the interpreters drawne out of an Allegorie: that the hand and diligence of many is forbidden, because that as soone as we bring forth our owne inuentions, the woorship of God is defiled. Which is in deede truly and skilfully spoken, but out of place, because the purpose of God was none other, but to forbid altars of continuance and perpetuitie. For we knowe, that this was the lawe of right sacrificing, that they should hauehave but one altar common to them all, both to nourishe consent among them, and also to preuent all corruptions, that no strange superstition might creepe in amongst them. Finally, that the religion might remaine one and simple: for by varietie of altars, they might easily hauehave fallen to discord. So the people should hauehave bene drawen into sectes, and true godlinesse bene rent in peeces. Now to choose a place for Gods worship, was not in the peoples authoritie: for God doeth alwayes in the bookes of Moses reserue that to him selfe. Therefore, hee restraineth the exercises of godlinesse vntounto that place, where he should put the memorie of his name. But because the will of God herein was not immediately reuealed, nor the place appointed, yet that his worship might not be intermitted, it was permitted to set vp an altar where the Ark remained, but either of an heape of vnwrought stones, or of turfes, that it might serue only for a short time. Let the readers note, that the people had their choice to make it either of rough stones, that the fashion of it should procure no reuerence vntounto it: or else of earth, which would fall away of it selfe. Finally, it serued to the commendation of the perpetuall altar, after God had chosen the mount Sion. Wherefore it is said in the Psal. 122. 1, 2.Psalme, I reioyced because our feete shall stand in thy gates O Ierusalem. The word which …ther hauehave translated Peace offeringes, I call, & not without cause, Sacrifices of prosperitie: because they were offered either to desire happie successe, or to giuegive thanks, and the Hebrewe word doeth well agree, as the readers shall finde more fully in the bookes of Moses.
32 Also he wrote on the stones, &c. There was another respect of the stones, which are here spoken of, in which God would hauehave a perpetuall monument of his law to remaine: that the pure religion as it were inclosed by them might be defended from the superstitions of Egypt. Therefore they were plastered with white Lime, that they might be better seene, and that the writing might be read more distinctly. And I no willingly agree to their opinion, which by the law repeated, do vnderstand a copie written out: although it seemeth not credible vntounto me, that the whole booke of the lawe was there written: for no stones, were they neuer so great, would be able to contein so large a writing. Wherfore in the name of the lawe I suppose that the summe and short preceptes are noted. Whereby straungers also which entered into the land, might openly knowe, what God was there worshipped: and all excuse of error and ignorance was taken away, while the lawe was not hidden in a booke, but set abrode before the eyes of all men. Finally, although the Priestes had bene dumble, yet the stones themselues did speake openly.
33 And all Israel, &c. The thirde token of obedience was, that Iosue placed all the tribes of Israel in mount Garizim, and mount Ebal, that halfe stoode on the one hill, and halfe on the other hill. For so they were placed, that sixe tribes stoode on mount Ebal, and the other sixe stoode ouer against them, on the mount Garizim. And the Leuites with the Arke of couenant stoode in the middest betwene them, that God might be compassed on eche side with his people. And it is said, that Iosue stood foorth first of all, to blesse the people: namely, because it was the purpose of God to allure the people vntounto himselfe sweetely and with amiable gentlenesse. For although Moses, to reproue the stubbornes of the people, doth only reherse the curses: yet it is certaine, they were but accidentall: for this was the right order, that blessings should rather bend them to obedience, which of themselues were disobedient. But when so generall inuitation and allurement did nothing profit, the curses were added for a newe helpe and remedie. God had promised a liberall reward to his seruantes that were obedient to the Lawe. Againe, he terrified the transgressoures, by setting forth the curses. Now are they eueryevery one compelled to subscribe to his iudgementes, while vntounto eueryevery sentence they answeare. Amen. For by this meanes they doe not only heare that they are condemned by the mouth of God, but as if they were Preachers sent from him, they pronounce what punishment is due vntounto themselues. The like proclamation was made in the plaine of Moab, beyond Iordane. But nowe they are more streightly bound, and doe acknowledge vppon what condition they shall dwell in the land of Chanaan. And this charge was not a little increased, in that the young children were also taken to them for witnesses.