Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Joshua!s Exhortation before his Death. JOSHUA XXIII, XXIV. He Assembles the Tribes.
them with the certain withdrawal of the Divine aid In the further expulsion of the Canaanites; a tlireat foundea on Exodus 23. 33; Numbers 33. 55; Deuteronomy 7. 16.
altar, and repented of their rasli choice in preferring worldly advantages to religious privileges, to remove to the western side of the Jordan, where the whole tribes would form a united and obedient community of worship-
CHAPTER XXIV.
pers. 31. then the children of Reuben, &c., answered repudiating, in the strongest terms, the alleged crime, and deponing that so far from entertaining the intention imputed to them, their only object was to perpetuate the memory of their alliance with Israel, and their adherence
Ver. 1. Joshua Assembling the Tribes. 1. Joshua gatliered all the tribes of Israel to Sliecliem—Anothet and final opportunity of dissuading the people against idolatry is here described as taken by the aged leader, whose solicitude on this account arose from his knowledge of the extreme readiness of the people to conform to the manners of the surrounding nations. This address was made to the representatives of the people convened at Shechem, and which had already been the scene of a solemn renewal of the covenant (ch. 8. 30, 35). The transactiOL now to be entered upon being in principle and object the same, it was desirable to give it all the solemn impressiveness which might be derived from the memory of the former ceremonial, as well as from other sacred associations of the place (Genesis 12. 6, 7; 3S. 18-20; 35. 2-4). they presented themselves before God—It is generally assumed that the ark of the covenant had been transferred on this occasion to Shechem; as on extraordinary emergencies it was for a time removed (Judges 20. 1-18; I Samuel 4. 3; 2 Samuel 15. 24). But the statement, not necessarily implying this, may be viewed as expressing only the religious cliaracter of tlie ceremony. [Hengstenberg.]
to the worship of Israel's God.
30-34. The Deputies Satisfied. 33, 34. it pleased them—The explanation not only gave perfect satisfaction to the deputies, but elicited from them expressions of unbounded joy and thankfulness. "This day we perceive that the Lord is among us," i. e., by His gracious presence and preventing goodness, which has kept you from falling into the sbspected sin, and rescued the nation from the calamity of a fratricidal war or providential judgments. This episode reflects honour upon all parties, and shows that piety and zeal for the honour and worship of God animated the people that entered Canaan to an extent far beyond what was exemplified in many other periods of the history of Israel.
CHAPTER XXIII.
"Ver. 1, 2. Joshua's Exhortation Before His Death.
I. a Ions; time after the Lord had given rest nnto Israel from all their enemies—about fourteen years after the conquest of Canaan, and seven after the distribution of that country among tlie tribes. 2. Joshna called for all Israel—the clause which follows seems to restrict this general expre-ssion as applicable only to the officers and representatives of the people. The place of assembly was most probably Shiloh. Tlie occasion of convening it was the extreme age and approaching deatli of the venerable leader; and the purport of this solemn address was to animate the chosen people and their posterity to a faith-
2-13. Relates God's Benefits. 2. Joshua said unto the people—His address briefly recapitulated tlie principal proofs of the Divine goodness to Israel from the call of Abraham to their happy estaljlishment in tlie land of promise; and showed tliem that they were indebted for their national existence as well as their peculiar privileges, not to any merits of their own, but to the free grace of God. your fathers dwelt on tlie otlier side of the tlood—The Euplirates, viz., at Ur. Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of IVahor—(see on Genesis 11.
ful and unswerving continuance in the faith and worship of the God of Israel.
27.) Tliough Terah had three sons, Nahor only is mentioned with Abraliam, as the Israelites were descended from him on the mother's side through Reljekaii and lier nieces, Leah and Rachel, sen'cd other gods—Conjoin-
3. By Former Benefits. Ye have seen all that the I.ord your God hath done nnto all these nations hecause of yon—The modesty and humility of Joshua are remarkably displayed at the commencement of this address. Sinking all thoughts of his personal services, he ascribed the subjugation and occupation of Canaan entirely to tlie favouring presence and aid of God; and in doing so, he spoke not more piously than truly. This had l)een promised (Deuteronomy 1.30; 3.22); and the reality of the Divine aid was seen in the rapid overthrow of the Canaanites, which had already led to the division of the whole land amongst the tril)es.
ing, like Laban, the traditional knowU<lge of the true God with the domestic use of material images (Genesis
31. 19, 34). 3. I took your father Al)raliam from the other side of the tlood, and led him throiiglxout all the land of Canaan—It was an irresistible impulse of Divine grace which led the patriarch to leave his country and relatives, to migrate to Canaan, and live a "stranger and pilgrim" in that land. 4. I gave unto Esau mount Selr—(see on Genesis 36. 8, 9.) In order tiiat lie might be no obstacle to Jacob and his posterity being the exclusive heirs of Canaan. 13. I sent the hornet before you—
5-11. By Promises. The Lord your God, he shall expel them from before you, as the Lord your God has promised you, &c.—The actual possessions which God had given were a pledge of the complete fulfilment of His promise In giving them the parts of the country still unconqnered. But the accomplishment of the Divine promparticular species of wasp which swarms in warm countries, and sometimes assumes the scourging chara'ter of a plague, or, as many think, it is a figurative expiession for uncontrollable terror (Exodus 23. 27, 28). 14-38. IVow therefore fear the Lord, and serve liim in sincerity andtjnith—After having enumerated so many groun<i3 ise depended on their inviolable fidelity to God's law—on their keeping resolutely aloof from all familiar intercourse and intimate connections with the Canaanites, or In any way partaking of their Idolatrous sins. In the event of their continuing in steadfast adherence to the cause of God, as happily distinguished the nation at that time. His blessing would secure them a course of brilliant and easy victories (Leviticus 28. 7; Deuteronomy 28. 7; 32.
for national gratitude, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a pulilic and solemn manner, whether they will be faitliful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed tliis to be his own unalterable resolution, and urges them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put away the strange gods that were among them"—a requirement which seems to Imply that some were .suspected of a strong hankering for, or concealed practice of, the idolatry, whether in the form of Zabaism, the fire-worship of their Chaldean ancestors, or the grosser superstitions of the Canaanites. 36. Joslnia wrote these words in the books of the law of God—Registered the engagements of that solemn covenant in the book of sacred history, took a great stone—According to the usage of ancient times to erect stone pillars as monuments of puhlk trans-
80). 11. Take good heed, therefore, that ye love the Ijordyour God—The sum of his exhortation is comprised in the love of God, which Is the end or fulfilment of the law (Deuteronomy 6. 5; 11. 13; Matthew 22. .37).
12. By TIIRKATKNINGS in case of DlSOnEDIENCE. 13. El»e If ye do In any wise go back, and cleave to the remnant of those nations—By "going back'" is meant transgression of the Divine law; and as marriage connections witli the Idolatrous Canaanites would present many and strong temptations to transgress it, tliese were strictly actions, set It up under an oak—Or terebinth, in all likelihood, the same as that at the root of wlilch Ja(«h burled the Idols, and charms found in uis family, tlutt 157 prohibited (Exodus Hi. 12-16; Deuteronomy 7. 3). With his eye, as It were, upon those prohibitions, Joshua threatens
The Acts of Judah and Simeon. JUDGES I. Adoni-hczek PunuUeA.
Tras by the sanctuary of tlie Lord—Either the spot where the ark had stood, or else the place around, so called honour. " Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua." 3'-J.
that religious meeting as Jacob named Beth-el tlie house of God.
tlie bones of Joscpli—They had carried these venerable relics with them in all their migrations through the desert, and deferred the burial, according to the dying charge of Joseph himself, till they arrived in the promised land. The sarcophagus, in which his mummied body had been put, was brought thither by the Israelites, and probably buried when the tribe of Ephraim had obtained their settlement, or at the solemn convocation described in this chapter, in a parcel of ground wliicU Jacob boug Jit for an Hundred pieces of silver Kvsitah, translated, " piece of silver," is supposed to mean a lamb, the weights being in the form of lambs or kids, which were, in all probability, the earliest standard of value among pastoral people. The tomb that now covers the spot is a Mohammedan Wclce, but there is no reason to doubt that the precious deposit of Joseph's remains may be concealed there at the present time. 33. Eleazar the son of Aaron died, and they buried him in iiioiuit Ephraim—The sepulchre is at the modern village Awertah, which, according to Jewish travellers, contains the graves also of Ithamar, the brother of Phiuehas, the son of Eleazar. [Van de Velde.]
14-;J3. His Age and Death. 30, 30. Joslma died—
Ijightloot computes tliat he lived seventeen, others twenty-seven years after the entrance into Canaan. He was buried, according to the Jewish practice, within the limits of his own inheritance. The eminent public services he had long rendered to Israel, and the great amount of domestic comfort and national prosperity he had been instrumental in dit Tiising among the several tribes, were deeply felt—wei'e universally acknowledged ; and a testimonial ill the form of a statue or obelisk would have been immediately raised to his honour, in all parts of the land, had such been the fashion of the times. The brief but noble epitaph by the historian is, Joshua, " the servant of the Lord.' 31. Israel served tlie Lortl all tlie days of .fosliiia—The high and commanding cliaracter of this eminent leader, had given so decided a tone to the sentiments and manners of his contemporaries, and the memory of his fervent piety and many virtues continued so vividly impressed on the memories of the people, that the sacred historian has recorded it to his immortal
THE BOOK OF JUDGES.
CHAPTER' I.
have been a foul stain on the character of the JsrAelltea, if there were not reason for lielleving it was done by them as an act of retributive justice, and as such it was regarded
Ver. 1-3. The Acts of Judah and Simeon. 1. Now after tlie death of .Joshua—Probably not a long period, for the Canaanites seem to have taken advantage of that fevent to attempt recovering their lost position, and the Israelites were obliged to renew the war. tlie children of Israel as Ued tlie Lord—The Divine counsel on this, as on (It her occasions, was sought by Urim and Tliumniim, by applying to tlje liigli priest, who, according to Josephus, WHS Phineiias. saying, AVho sliall go up for us against tlie Canaanites first-The elders, wlio exercised the government in llieir respective tribes. Judged rightly, that in entering upon an important expedition, they Bhould have a leader nominated by Divine appointment, and in consulting the oracle, they adopted a prudent course, wliether the object of their inquiry related to the choice of an individual commander, or to tlie honour of prei-edency among tlie tribes, a. tlie Lord snid, .Tudnh shall go up—The predicted pre-eminence (Genesis 49.8) was tlius conferred upon Judah by Divine direction, and Its aiipointinent to lalce the lead in the ensuing liostilitles was of great importance, as the measure of success by which its arms wire crowned, would animate the other tribe s to make slinilar attempts against the Canaanites williin tlieir respective territories. I Iia\c delivered tite land into liis Itnnd—not the whole count!-y, Iml (he district assigned lor liis inheritance. 3. .Jiuliili Niii<l unto Simeon, fome up witli me, that >vc may KiglK itgnlnst tlic <'at«aanlte«—I{eing conterminous tril)es (Joslma 1!). i, bj' xVdoni-bezek himself, whose conscience read his alioclous crimes in their punishment. 7. threescore and ten Icings—So great a number will not appear strange, when it is considered that anciently every ruler of a city or large town was called a king. It is not improbable that in that southern region of Canaan, there might, in earlier times, have been even more till a turbulent chief like Adoiii-bezek devoured tlieni in his insatiable ambition. 8. Now tlie children of .ludah had fought against •Terusalem, and had taken it—The capture of this important city, which ranks among the early incidents iu the war of invasion (Joshua 15. 63), is here noticed to account for its being in the possession of the Judaliiti s ; and they brought Adoiii-be/.ek thither, in order, probably, that his fate being rendered so public, might Inspire terror far and wide. Similar inroads were made into the other uuconquered parts of Judah's inheritance. The stcn-y of Caleb's acquisition of Hebron is here repeated (Joshua 15.
in-lil). 10. tbe children of the Kcnite, Moses' father. In-law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the cliildren of .Tudali—Called the Kenlfe, as probably descended froni the people of that name (Numbers 24. 21,
22). If he might not liiniself, his posterity did accept the invitation of Moses (Numbers 10. 32) to accompany the Israelites to ('anaan. Their lirst encaminnent was iu the "city of palm trees"—not Jericho, of course, which was utterly destroyed, but the surrounding district, perhaps Kn-gedi, in early times called Hazczon-tamar (Genesis 11.7), from the palm-grove which sheltered it. Thence they removed from some unknown cause, and associating thems(>lves with .ludali, Joined in an expedition against Arad, tn the southern \k\v\ of Canaan (Numbers 21. 1). On the coi Kiuest of that disli iet, some of this jiastoral iieople pitched their tents there, while others migrated to the north (eh. A. 17). 17-a!). and .ludali went wHli Simeon his Itrother—The course of the narrative is liere rosum<'(l fi'om V. !», and an aceount given of Judah retnrniin the services of Simeon (i>. ;>), by aiding In the prosecution of the war within the nelghl)ouring tribes, slew tL« f'agiaanites that iiilinbited Zephatli—or /,i>;ihntliali ('i Chronicles 11. 10), a valley lying In the southern portiou
2), thi'y had a common interest, and were naturally associated in this enterprise.
Adoni-ukzkk Justly Requite n. Ileack—This place lay witliin the domain of Judah, alioiit twelvt; miles BOUtli of Jerusalem. .'». found Adoni-he/.elt—t. r., lord of Bezek—he was "found," i. c, surprised and roiit^-d in a pitched battle, whence he lied; but being taken prisoner, he was treated v. ith a severity unusual among the Israi-IItes, I'or they "ciitod' his thumbs and gieal toes." I'.arbariliesof vai'loiis kinds were commonly practised on prisoners of wa,i' in ancient times, and I he ohjeclof this particular mutilation of the hands and feel was to disable them for military service ever afcer. The Inl1letif)n of sue) 1 a horrid cruelty or this Canaanlle elili l, would 158
An Angel Rebukes the Peopie. JUDGES rr, III. Wickedness of the 27cw Generation.
of Canaan. H ormail—destroyed in lulfllment of an earlyvow of the Israelites (see on Numbers 21. 1-:!). The conrevival wjliich this scene of emotion held out, was, ere long, blasted ny speedy and deeper relapses into the guilt of defection and idolatry. 6-10. and when Joshua had let the people go—This passage is a n i)etition of Joshua federate tribes pursuing their incursions in that quarter, came successively to Gaza, Askelon and Kkron, which they took. But the Philistines seem soon to liave regained possession of these cities. 19. tlic Lioi-rt was with Jnclali ; but tliey could not drive out tlie inliab Haiits of U»e valley—Tlie war was of the Lord, whose omnipotent aid would have ensured their success in every encounter, wliether on the mountains or the plains, with
24. 20-31, and it was inserted here to put the reader in possession of the reasons which called forth so strong and severe a rebuke from the angel of the Lord. During the lifetime of tlie first occupiers, who retained a vivid recollection of all the miracles and judgments which tliey had witnessed in P]gypt and the desert, the national character stood high for faith and piety. But, in course of time, a new race arose who were strangers to all the hallowed and solemnizing experience of their fathei's, and too readily yielded to the corrupting influences of tlie idolatry that surrounded them.
foot soldiers or cavalry. It was distrust—the want of a simple and firm reliance on the promise of God—that made them afraid of the iron chariots (see on Joshua 11.
4-9). 21, tlic clilldreu of Benjamin did not drive out the .Tetjusltes that inhabited Jenisalem—Judali had expelled the people from their part of Jerusalem {v. 8). The border of the two tribes ran through the cit.v—Israelites and natives must have been closely intermingled.
11-19. Wickedness of the New Generation after Joshua. 11-19. the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord—This chapter, together with the first eight verses of tlie next, contains a brief but compreliensive summary of the principles developed in tlie following history; and an attentive consideration of them, therefore. Is of the greatest importance to a riglit understanding of the strange and varying pliases of Israeli tisli history, from the death of Joshua till the estaljiisliment of the monarchy, served Baalim—Tlie plural Is used to Include all the gods of the country. 13. Aslxtaroth—Alsoa plural word, denoting all the female divinities, wliose rites were celebrated by the most gross and revolting impuri-
22-20. Some Canaanites Left. 23, 23. tl»e Iiouse of Joseph—the tribe of Ephraim, as distinguished from Manasseh {v. 27). 34. the spies said, Show ns the entrance into the city i. e., the avenues to tlie city, and the weakest part of the walls, we will show tliec mercy —The Israelites might employ these means of getting possession of a place which was divinely appropriated to them: they might promise life and rewards to this man, though he and all the Canaanites were doomed to deBtruction (Joshua 2. 12-14); but we may assume tlie promise was suspended on his embracing the true religion, or quitting the country, as he did. If they had seen him to be firmly opposed to either of these alternatives, they would not have constrained him by promises any more than by threats to betray his countrymen. But if tliey found him disposed to be serviceable, and to aid the invaders in executing the will of God, they miglit promise lo spare him. L.uz—(.Sea on Genesis 12.8; 28. 13.) a7-3C. The same course of subjugation was carried on in the other tribes to a partial extent, and with varying success. Many of the natives, no doubt, during the progress of tliis exterminating war, saved themselves by flight, and became.
ties. 14. the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of the spoilers tliat spoiled titem—Adversities in close and rapid succession befell them. But all these calamities were designed only as chastisements—a course of correctional discipline by which God brouglit His people to see and repent of their errors; for as they returned to faitli and allegiance. He " raised up judges " (u. 16), which delivered tiiem out of the itand of those that spoiled them—Tlie judges who governed Israel were strictly God's vicegerents in the government of the people. He being tlie supreme ruler. Those who were thus elevated retained the dignity so long as they lived ; but tliere was no regular, unbroken succession of judges. Individuals, prompted by the inward, irresistible impulse of God's Spirit, wiien tliey witnessed the depressed state of their country, were roused to achieve
It Is thought, the first colonists in Greece, Italy, and otlier countries. But a large portion made a stout resistance, and retained possession of,their old abodes in Canaan. In other cases, when the natives were vanquished, avarice led the Israelites to spare the Idolaters, contrary to the express command of God ; and their disobedience to his orders in this matter involved them in many troubles which this book describes.
its deliverance. It v.'as usually accompanied by a special call, and the people seeing them endowed with extraordinary courage or strength, accepted them as delegates of Heaven, and submitted to their sway. Frequently they were appoiiilcd only for a particular district, and tlieir autliority extended no farther than over the people wliose interests tliey were commissioned to protect. They were witliout pomp, equipage, or emoluments attached to the
CHAPTER II.
Ver. 1-10. An Angel, Sent to Rebuke the Peoi'le at BOCHIM. 1. an angel came from Gilgal to Bochlm— We are Inclined to think, from the authoritative tone of his language, that he was the Angel of the Covenant (Kxodus23. 20; Joshua 5. 14); the same who appeared in human form and announced himself captain of the Lord's host. UIr coming from Gilgal had a peculiar significance, for there the Israelites madeasolemn dedication of themselves to God on their entrance into the promised land; and the memory of that religious engagement, which the angel's arrival from Gilgal awakened, gave empliatic force to his rebuke of their apostasy. Bochim, " the woeper^*," was a name bestowed evidently In allusion to tliis incident or the place, which was at or near Shiloh. I said, X will never break my covenant with yo>i . . . but ye have not obeyed my voice—The burden of tlie angel's remonstrance was that God would inviolably keep His promise; but they by their flagrant and repeated breaches of their covenant with Him, had forfeited all claim to the Btipulated benefits. Having disobeyed the will of God by voluntarily courting the society of Idolaters, and placing themselves In the way of temptation. He left tliem to sufoffice. They had no power to make laws; for these were given by God ; nor to explain them, for that was the province of the priests—but they were officially uiiholders of the law, defenders of religion, avengers of all crimes, particularly of idolatry and Its attendant vices.
CHAPTER III.
Ver. 1-4. Nations Left to Prove Israel. 1. These are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel This was the special design of these nations lieing left, and it evinces tlie direct Influence of the theocracy under which the Israelites were placed. These nations were left for a double purpose: In the flrst instance, to be instrumental, by their inroads. In promoting the moral and spiritual discipline of the Israelites—and also to subserve tlie design of making them acquainted with Wiir, in order that the young, more especially, who were total strangers to it, might learn the use of weapons and tlie art of wielding them.
5-7. P.YCOMiMUNION WITH THESE THE ISIIA l;l,IT HH COMMIT Idolatry. .5-9. The chihlren of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites— The two classes by dcurees came to be on habits of Intercourse; reciprocal alliaiict* were formed by marriage, till the Israelites, rela.xing tiie austerity of their principles, (ihowed a growing couforfer tlie punishment of their misdeeds. 4, .5. When the uigrl of tl»e I>ord spake these words, the people lifted up their voice and wept— The angel's expostulation mwlo a deep and painful impression. But tlie reformation wa« but temporary, and the gratifying promise of a