Joshua 19

Joshua 19:1-9

Here is, 1. The lot of Simeon, ver. 1—9. 2. Of Zebulun, ver. 10—16. 3. Of Iflachar, ver. 17—13. 4. Of After, ver. 24—31. 5. Of Naphtali, ver. 32—39. 6. Of Dan, ver. 40—48. Lathy, The inheritance assigned to Joshua himself and his own family, ver. 49, 50, 51.

1. AND the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was * within the inheritance of the children of Judah. 2. And * they had in their inheritance Beer-fheba, and Sheba, and Moadah, 3. And Hazar-fhuul, and Balah, and Azem, 4. And Eltolul, and Bethul, and Hormah, 5. And Ziklag, and Beth-markaboth, and Hazarfufah, 6. And Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen: thirteen cities and their villages. 7. Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Afhan: four cities and their villages. 8. And all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalath-beer, Ramath of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. 9. Out of the portion of the children of Judah, was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was * too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.

The lot of Simeon lay entirely within the tribe of Judah; for on a review, it appearing that Judah had more than it could occupy, part of it was assigned to Simeon, who was, according to the prophecy, scattered in Jacob; but by this means became closely connected with Judah: and in the separation of the tribes, chiefly adhered to the kings of Judah and the temple. Now, (1.) It is but just if our neighbour wants, and we have more than we need, to communicate to him, out of our abundance. (2.) It is a mercy to be connected with those, who are in communion with God, and closely devoted to his worship and service.

10. ¶ And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun, according to their families: and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid. 11. And their border went up * toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbaheth, and reached to the river that is before Jok-town. 12. And turned from Sarid eaft-ward, toward the sun-fising, thro the border of * Chilboth-rabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia. 13. And from thence paffeth on along on the eaft to Gittah-hepher, to Ittah-kazim, and goeth out to Remmon-methoor to Neah. 14. And the border compaffeth it on the north-side to Hamathon: and the out-groups thereof are in the valley of Jiphthah-el. 15. And Kattah, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Beth-lebeon: twelve cities with their villages. 16. This is Vol. I.

the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:10-16

According to Jacob’s prophecy, Gen. xlix. 17. The coasts of Zebulun were havens for flight, lying on the Mediterranean sea west, and the sea of Tiberias east. In this tribe lay Nazareth, where Jefua dwelt; Tabor, where he was transfigured, and the coasts of the sea of Galilee, the chief scene of his ministry and miracles, were all in this tribe; it produced also one judge, Tulsa, and one king of Iffrad, Baalha.

17. ¶ And the fourth lot came out to Iflachar, for the children of Iflachar, according to their families. 18. And their border was toward * Jezreel, and Chefulloth, and Shunem, 19. And Haphazim, and Shihim, and Anaharath, 20. And Raloloth, and Kifhon, and Alere, 21. And Remeth, and En-gannim, and En-hadalah, and Beth-pazaz. 22. And the coast reached to * Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Beth-fheneth, and the out-groups of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages. 23. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Iflachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.

Joshua 19:11-28

1. AND the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there, and the land was subdued before them.

2. 1. The tabernacle now begins to obtain a more fixed abode. The land being subdued before them, and the several tribes that were its former guard, separating to take possession of their inheritance, they with great solemnity remove it into a city.

3. The place chosen for it is Shiloh, wherein, no doubt, they were directed by some notice from God. This city lay in the tribe of Ephraim, where Joshua, their present chief magistrate, had his possession, and much more convenient than Gilgal for the assembling of the people, being in the heart of the country. The name was given the place probably from the peace they now enjoyed, and might typify the place of rest for all true believers in heaven, when, after all their spiritual enemies shall be finally subdued, they shall rest with Christ, the ark of the covenant, in glory for ever.

4. The whole congregation from Gilgal accompanied it to Shiloh, and pitched there; for wherever the ark is, the true Israelite will follow it. In this place it remained 349 years, according to the Jewish writers, till, for the sins of Eli’s house, it was removed.

5. And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance. 3. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, “How long are you slack to go to possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you? 4. Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go thro'

the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them, and they shall come again to me. 5. And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coats on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coats on the north. 6. Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description before to me, that I may call lots for you here before the LORD our God. 7. But the Levites have no part among you, for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them. 8. ¶ And the men arose and went away: and Joshua changed them that went to describe the land, saying, Go, and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here call lots for you before the LORD us Shiloh. 9. And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host of Shiloh. 10. ¶ And Joshua’ cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel, according to their divisions.

9. 2—10. Though seven tribes were yet unsealed, there was such plenty from the spoil of the Canaanites, and they were in taken with the state of peace they enjoyed after the tools of war, that they item not at all solicitous to proceed in the division of the land; in doing which they must not only be separated from each other, and many a comfortable connection be dissolved, but must renew their warfare, to rescue the cities in their several lots, that were in the hands of their enemies. Note, (1.) The forces of woefully comforts and connections are very apt to draw off our minds from desire after our inheritance in heaven. (2.) The difficulties that appear in the way to heaven, are more discouragements from labouring thither, though they are usually the creatures of our unbelief and dust. Joshua observing them, 1. Represents their negligence. Whilst they were trifling, the Canaanites might recover courage and strength, and they might have all their work to do once again. Note, The do things by halves, is always the way to have double trouble: once well done, is done for ever. 2. He lets them upon the proper method of proceeding: three men out of each of the seven tribes are chosen to survey the remaining country, and divide it nearly into seven equal shares. Levi having no lot, and the other five tribes being settled in their inheritance. Thus being done, and the cities and country described in a book, the lots are drawn before the tabernacle, under Joshua’s inspection, and each tribe receives its division. Note, home believers enter into their cell houses than others in this world; and so the next, eternal rest is obtained as the lot of death is call, and we are called away in youth or age: but whether sooner or later, the rest is sure to all the seed, and the mansions of glory ready prepared for their reception.

10. ¶ And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah, and the children of Joseph. 12. And their border on the north-side was from Jordan, and the border went up to the side of Jericho, on the north-side, and went up through the mountains well-ward, and the goings-out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 13. And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, (which is Beth-el) Southward, and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lords on the south side of the nether Beth-horon. 14. And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea South-ward, from the hill that lords before Beth-horon South-ward: and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal (which is Kirjath-jaram) a city of the children of Judah: This was the west quarter. 15. And the South-quarter was from the end of Kirjath-jaram, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtosh. 16. And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lords before the valley of the son of Hinnam, and which is the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnam, to the side of Jehnah on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnam, and the north, and went forth to En-themesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over-against the young up of Adummam, and descended to the thine of Boland, the son of Reuben. 18. And passed along toward the

side over against Arabah north-ward, and went down unto Arabah. 19. And the border patted along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward; and the out-groups of the border were at the north bay of the falt-fea at the south-end of Jordan: this was the south-coast. 20. And Jordan was the border of it on the eaft-side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families. 21. Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families, were Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and the valley of Keziz, 22. And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel, 23. And Arim, and Parah, and Ophrah, 24. And Chephar-hammonoun, and Ophni, and Gaba: twelve cities with their villages. 25. Gibeon, and Rama, and Beeroth, 26. And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah, 27. And Rekem, and Ipeel, and Taralah, 28. And Zelah, Ekph, and Jebusi, (which it Jerusalem) Gibeah, and Kirjath: fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, according to their families.

Benjamin’s lot lay between Joseph and Judah. United to the one by peculiar ties of blood, but cleaving to the other where the temple was, in all the after-revolution of that country. It had Joseph on the north, Judah on the south, Jordan on the east, and Dan on the west. Of this tribe was the great apolite Paul.

Joshua 19:17-23

Iflachar’s lot consisted of sixteen cities with their villages. It was a numerous tribe, bordering on the sea westward, having Jordan on the east, Manafesh on the south, and Zebulun on the north. Jezreel, Ahab’s royal city Shunem, wherein dwelt the kind hostels of Elijah, Kifhon famed for Deborah’s victory, Gilboa where Saul fell, and the valley of Megiddo where Jofiah was slain, lay in this tribe.

24. ¶ And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of After, according to their families. 25. And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph, 26. And Alammelech, and Amad, and Mi-ffeal; and reached to Carmel westward, and to Shi-hor-hibnath. 27. And turned toward the sun-fising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthah-el toward the north-side of Beth-emek, and Neiel, and goeth out to * Cabul on the left hand, 28. And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and * Kanah, * were unto great * Zidon: 29. And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the throng city Tyre, and the coast turned to Hofah: and the out-groups thereof are at the sea, from the coast to Achaib. 30. Ummah alib, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages. 31. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of After, according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Joshua 19:24-31

The lot of After lay much on the sea-coast. In it stood the city of Tyre, as some conjecture, a mere ancient place on the continent, that that afterward melt famed must which bore this name, and was built on an island a little distant from the shore.

32. ¶ The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali: even for the children of Naphtali according to their families. 33. And their coast was from Hekep, from Alion to Zaaranim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel unto Lakum: and the out-groups thereof were at Jordan. 34. And then the coast turned west-ward to Az-noth-abor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reached to Zebulun on the south-side, and reached to After on the west-side, and to Judah upon Jord n toward the sun-fising. 35. And the tenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and * Hammath, Rakkath, and Cinnertch, 36. And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor, 37. And * Kedeh, and * Edrei, and Enhazor, 38. And Iron, and * Migdal-el, Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-fheneth: nineteen cities with their villages. 39. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, according to their families, the cities and their villages.

Joshua 19:32-39

Naphtali extended farthest north, to mount Libanun. On the farthest border was Laith, which the Danites conquered, and called Dan: and hence * From Dan to Beer-fheba, * of which mention is in often mode, included the whole extent of the country. Cap-tnaum and Bethfada belonged to this tribe, where so many miracles were wrought, and against which our Lord, for their impenitence, denounced such terrible woes.

40. ¶ And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan, according to their families: 41. Q q q And

Before Chist 1640.