Joshua 23

— and scourges in your sides.] They shall be the means of bringing the sorest chastisements and most grievous afflictions upon you. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells.

Chap. XXIV. ver. 1. And Joshua] It is probable that Joshua, having his life prolonged beyond what he had expected when he made the foregoing speech, called the tribes again together, for the purpose of giving them wholesome admonitions. Bp. Patrick.

— to Shechem.] Two Greek MSS. read Shiloh here, instead of Shechem. Shechem was distant about ten miles from Shiloh, according to St. Jerome. As it is here said that they presented themselves “before God,” it appears that the holy tabernacle was at hand. Allowing then the received reading, we must understand, either that Joshua, being old and infirm, caused the ark on this occasion to be brought from Shiloh to Shechem, being nearer to his own residence, (Bp. Patrick,) or that Shiloh is here called Shechem, because it was in the territory of Shechem, (Dr. Wells,) or that all the tribes were assembled at Shechem, whence the heads, officers, &c. went to present themselves before the ark at Shiloh, as occasion required. Shuckford.

A brief history of God’s benefits. Before CHRIST about 1437.

Joshua 23:9

9. — the Lord hath driven out &c.] The literal meaning is plain and easy; the Lord made good His promise to those Israelites to whom the words were spoken, brought them into Canaan, and cast out the heathen. If these were strong motives to that people of gratitude and obedience, how much more are we bound to be grateful and obedient, by the far greater victories, which our heavenly Joshua, the blessed Jesus, hath obtained for us over our spiritual enemies, and which He still daily performs for us; for those, who are enlisted under His banner, are indeed enabled to “chase a thousand,” not indeed by their own strength, but by the power of Christ. Wogan.

Joshua 23:13

13. — the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations] Thus the promise which God had made to the Israelites was conditional: and, as they manifestly forfeited their part of the obligation, by engaging first in affinity, and afterwards in idolatry with the nations which they were bound to destroy, so God would no longer grant them success and enlargement of their boundary; but, as they had been the ministers of His vengeance in punishing the disorders of the Canaanites, so the Canaanites were now, in their turn, to be made the instruments of His chastising the disobedience of His own people. Stachkone.

— they shall be meres and traps unto you.] They