Joshua 16

Joshua 16:1

In thine hand - That is, in thy power to use us as thou wilt. Unto thee - We refer ourselves to thee and thy own piety, and probity, and faithfulness to thy word and oath; if thou wilt destroy thy humble suppliants, we submit. Let us in like manner submit to our Lord Jesus, and refer ourselves to him; saying, We are in thy hand; do unto us as seemeth right unto thee. Only save our souls: give us our lives for a prey; and let us serve thee, just as thou wilt!

Joshua 16:3

The altar of the Lord - By which appears, that they were not only to do this service in God’s house, but upon all other occasions, as the congregation needed their help.

Joshua 16:5

Among them - That is, were conversant with them, had submitted to their laws, and mingled interests with them.

Joshua 16:6

Thy - That is, he and his people, the king being spoken of ver.1, as a publick person representing all his people. Royal cities - Either really a royal city, or equal to one of the royal cities, though it had no king, but seems to have been governed by elders, chap.9:11.

Joshua 16:7

Adoni - zedek sent - Either because he was superior to them, or because he was nearest the danger, and most forward in the work.

Joshua 16:9

Of the Amorites - This name being here taken largely for any of the Canaanites, as is frequent; for, to speak strictly, the citizens of Hebron here mentioned, ver.3, were Hittites. It is reasonably supposed, that the Amorites being numerous and victorious beyond Jordan poured forth colonies into the land of Canaan, subdued divers places, and so communicated their name to all the rest.

Joshua 16:10

Slack not thy hand - Do not neglect or delay to help us. Whom thou art obliged to protect both in duty as thou art our master; and by thy owns interest, we being part of thy possessions; and in ingenuity, because we have given ourselves to thee, and put ourselves under thy protection. In the mountains - ln the mountainous country.