Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Joshua Ch.10 / 24 Ch.s
JOS:10
* Five kings war against Gibeon. (1-6) Joshua succours Gibeon
The sun and moon stand still. (7-14) The kings are taken, their
armies defeated, and they are put to death. (15-27) Seven other
kings defeated and slain. (28-43)
#1-6 When sinners leave the service of Satan and the friendship
of the world, that they make peace with God and join Israel,
they must not marvel if the world hate them, if their former
friends become foes. By such methods Satan discourages many who
are convinced of their danger, and almost persuaded to be
Christians, but fear the cross. These things should quicken us
to apply to God for protection, help, and deliverance.
#7-14 The meanest and most feeble, who have just begun to trust
the Lord, are as much entitled to be protected as those who have
long and faithfully been his servants. It is our duty to defend
the afflicted, who, like the Gibeonites, are brought into
trouble on our account, or for the sake of the gospel. Joshua
would not forsake his new vassals. How much less shall our true
Joshua fail those who trust in Him! We may be wanting in our
trust, but our trust never can want success. Yet God's promises
are not to slacken and do away, but to quicken and encourage our
endeavours. Notice the great faith of Joshua, and the power of
God answering it by the miraculous staying of the sun, that the
day of Israel's victories might be made longer. Joshua acted on
this occasion by impulse on his mind from the Spirit of God. It
was not necessary that Joshua should speak, or the miracle be
recorded, according to the modern terms of astronomy. The sun
appeared to the Israelites over Gibeon, and the moon over the
valley of Ajalon, and there they appeared to be stopped on their
course for one whole day. Is any thing too hard for the Lord?
forms a sufficient answer to ten thousand difficulties, which
objectors have in every age started against the truth of God as
revealed in his written word. Proclamation was hereby made to
the neighbouring nations, Behold the works of the Lord, and say,
What nation is there so great as Israel, who has God so nigh
unto them?
#15-27 None moved his tongue against any of the children of
Israel. This shows their perfect safety. The kings were called
to an account, as rebels against the Israel of God. Refuges of
lies will but secure for God's judgment. God punished the
abominable wickedness of these kings, the measure of whose
iniquity was now full. And by this public act of justice, done
upon these ringleaders of the Canaanites in sin, he would
possess his people with the greater dread and detestation of the
sins of the nations that God cast out from before them. Here is
a type and figure of Christ's victories over the powers of
darkness, and of believers' victories through him. In our
spiritual conflicts we must not be satisfied with obtaining some
important victory. We must pursue our scattered enemies,
searching out the remains of sin as they rise up in our hearts,
and thus pursue the conquest. In so doing, the Lord will afford
light until the warfare be accomplished.
#28-43 Joshua made speed in taking these cities. See what a
great deal of work may be done in a little time, if we will be
diligent, and improve our opportunities. God here showed his
hatred of the idolatries and other abominations of which the
Canaanites had been guilty, and shows us how great the
provocation was, by the greatness of the destruction brought
upon them. Here also was typified the destruction of all the
enemies of the Lord Jesus, who, having slighted the riches of
his grace, must for ever feel the weight of his wrath. The Lord
fought for Israel. They could not have gotten the victory, if
God had not undertaken the battle. We conquer when God fights
for us; if he be for us, who can be against us?