Joshua 9

Joshua 9:1

ON this side] 1: e. in respect of Moab, to wit, the land of Canaan, where the Israelites now were.

great sea] That is, the Mediterranean, or in all the coasts adjoyning to that sea.

Lebanon] Which lieth in the north part of Canaan.

Gibeon] A city of the Hivites, Joshua 11:19. which fell to the tribe of Benjamin, and was given to the priest, Joshua 21:17. with them no peace was to be made, as being a part of the seven cursed nations, without speciall warrant from God, Exodus 23:32. Deuteronomy 7:2.

Joshua 9:4

wilily] As the other Canaanites sought to save themselves by force of arms, so these by subtilty and policy.

bound up] To wit, where they had leaked.

Joshua 9:6

to the men of Israel] To wit, the princes and chiefest men. See 5: 7. 14.

Joshua 9:7

Hivits] 1: Gibeonites.

and how shall] Seeing God hath given us your land, and hath expresly forbidden us to make any covenant with you, Exodus 23:32. Deuteronomy 7:2.

Joshua 9:8

thy servants] Not thy enemies, as the Caaanites are, and are ready to submit to thy commands, and to accept of such conditions of peace as thou shalt please to offer, though it were to become your servants.

Joshua 9:9

because of the name] Of the glory and power of the LORD (which we have heard much of) shewed in his great works and miracles.

Joshua 9:14

And the men] That is, the chief rulers and princes, took their victuals into their hands, that they might handle them, and see if they were such as they reported, and so believed and approved their words, being deceived with the sight of their provisions.

asked not counsell] Namely, by the high priest, enquiring of the LORD by Urim and Thummim, as he commanded, Numbers 27:21. Exodus 28:30. 1 Samuel 30:7-8.

of the Lord] Who had promised to answer those that thus enquired of him, Exodus 25:22.

Joshua 9:15

made peace with them] Not expressing any condition of persons, lands, liberty or goods (as it was lawfull to have done with other nations which were not Canaanites) but onely the saving of their lives. And this peace seemeth lawfull, namely, if they would sue for this peace, abjure their idolatry, embrace the true religion of the Jews, and submit themselves, their lands, goods, and all they had to their Dominion: So Rahab, Judg. 2. 12. 14. See Deuteronomy 2:26. Joshua 11:20. 2 Sam. 21. 5: 1. 2, 9, 14. Deuteronomy 20:10. By all which places it appeareth, that they onely of the Canaanites were devoted to utter destruction, who would not seek for peace on the former conditions.

Joshua 9:19

we may not touch them] To wit, because we are bound to save their lives, by a lawfull oath; for if it had been unlawfull, it might have been lawfully broken: but they sued for peace before we besieged their city, and upon our own conditions.

Joshua 9:20

This will we do] Namely, what is said 5: 21.

lest wrath be upon us] As it would be, if we should violate a lawfull oath.

Joshua 9:21

unto them] 1: e. To the murmuring people.

hwers of wood] In the meanest condition among the people, Deuteronomy 29:11.

Joshua 9:23

cursd] 1: e. In respect of your temporall condition, seeing you and your children shall like bond-men subject your selves to the basest offices. Some think that afterwards these were those Nethinims mentioned 1 Chr. 9. 2. Ezra 8:20.

house of my God] 1: e. The tabernacle now, and temple afterwards; yea, for the publike service of all the congregation, in things appertaining to God, 5: 27.

Joshua 9:25

in thy hand] 1: e. In thy power, to do with us and lay upon us such service as thou pleasest.

Joshua 9:27

choose] 1: e. Either tabernacle or temple.