auenger of bloud vntill he stoode before the Congregation 1 And the Lorde spake c. Whereas it came not in their minde to appoint the cities of refuge vntill they were admonished againe it seemeth that their slacknesse is couertly reproued for this was decreed before by the commaundement of God beyond Iordan When the like and the verie same reason is here wherefore doe they staie why doe they not bring to an end that which they had well begonne considering that it was for great cause that innocent persons should haue safe places of refuge appointed them least the land should be defiled with bloud for except that remedie had bene vsed the kinsemen of them that were slaine by rashly reuenging their death would haue doubled the mischiefe Surely the people ought not to haue bene slacke in prouiding to auoyde that which might be a spot or defiling of the lande Whereby we may see how slowe men are not onely to doe their duetie but also to be carefull of their owne health except God did often pricke them foreward and prouoke them with the spurres of his exhortations Howbeit it appeareth by this that their offence was but of negligence that they are immediatly readie to obey and doe not prolong the matter nor hinder and staie so necessarie a busines with vnprofitable contentions But what was the lawe of these Sanctuaries we haue elsewhere declared For by them was no impunitie geuen to wilfull murders but if any man through error or chaunce had slaine a man that was not his enimie he had safe refuge vnto these cities which were appointed for the same purpose So God helped the poore wretches where they were without fault least they should haue suffered punishment vnworthily when they had committed no wicked facte In the meane time God of his clemencie graunted thus much to the brethren and kinsemen of them that were dead that their sorrowe shoulde not be increased by hauing them daily in their sight by whom they were depriued of their friendes Finally the people was accustomed to detest all manslaughter when such manslaiers as were acquitted of murder should be banished from their house and from their contrie vntill the death of the high priest For that temporall punishment did clearely shewe how pretious mans bloud is in the sight of god So the lawe both to the whole state and euerie priuate member was iust indifferent and profitable But we must note breefly that euerie point is not here sette forth in order For vppon this condition he that had slaine a man by chaunce might be preserued from danger if first he appered in iudgement to answer the cause and after it was throughly discussed and debated he were acquitted of murder as is more at large declared by Moses concerning this whole matter 7 And they appointed c. The verbe KADESH which here is set doeth signifie also To consecrate and appoint Wherefore I iudge that the citties were so chosen out as serued best for the common profite Whereby it is gathered that they did truely moderate themselues that priuate vtilitie gaue place to publique profite But in the next Chapter wee shall see that Kiriath-arba which afterward was called Hebron was translated to the Leuites whereas before it was vnder the dominion of Caleb Wherein the rare yea the incomparable continencie of that holy man appeared which willingly deliuered vp to other men as well the citie as the suburbes which he might well haue challenged to himselfe so soone as the lotte did shew that such was the pleasure of god And it was needefull briefly to touch this chaunge because God would haue the refuge to be only in the cities of the Leuites that their innocencie might be defended among them with more fidelitie and authoritie Chap. 21. THen came the principall fathers of the Leuites vnto Eleazar the Priest and vnto Ioshue the sonne of Nun and vnto the chiefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel 2 And spake vnto them at Shiloh in the land of Chanaan saying The Lorde commaunded by the hand of Moses to giue vs cities to dwell in with the suburbes thereof for our cattell 3 So the children of Israel gaue vnto the Leuites out of their inheritance at the commaundement of the Lord these cities with their suburbes 4 And the lotte came out for the families of the Kohathites and the children of Aaron the Priest which were of the Leuites had by lot out of the tribe of Iudah and out of the tribe of Simeon and out of the tribe of Beniamin thirteene cities 5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim and out of the tribe of Dan and out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh ten cities 6 Also the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar and out of the tribe of Asher and out of the tribe of Nepthalie and out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh in Bashan thirteene cities 7 The children of Merarie according to their families had out of the tribe of Ruben and out of the tribe of Gad and out of the tribe of Zebulun twelue cities 8 So the children of Israel gaue by lot vnto the Leuites these cities with their suburbes as the Lorde had commaunded by the hand of Moses 9 And they gaue out of the tribe of the children of Iudah and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon these cities whiche are here named 10 And they were the childrens of Aaron being of the families of the Kohathites and of the sonnes of Leui for theirs was the first lotte 11 So they gaue them Kiriath-arba of the father of Anok which is Hebron in the mountaine of Iudah with the suburbes of the same rounde about it 12 But the lande of the citie and the villages thereof gaue they to Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh to be his possession 13 Thus they gaue to the children of Aaron the Priest a citie of refuge for the slayer euen Hebron with her suburbes and Libnah with her suburbes 14 And Iattir with her suburbes and Eshtemoa and her suburbes 15 And Holon with her suburbes and Debir with her suburbes 16 And Ain with her suburbes and Iuttah with her suburbes Beth shemesh with her suburbes nine cities out of those two tribes 17 And out of the tribe of Beniamin they gaue Gibeon with her suburbes Geba with her suburbes 18 Anathoth with her suburbes and Almon with her suburbes foure cities 19 All the cities of the children of Aaron Priests were thirteene cities with their suburbes 1 Then came c. Here is declared afterward that which should haue gone before For the cities of refuge were not geuen before they were assigned to the Leuites As also we must remember that which was saied before that Iosue and Eleazer made an ende of diuiding the lande for the lande was not iustly diuided vntill the Leuites had their dwelling place appointed them
another shal be brused with a stone yea vnto some the wombe is their graue before they see the light It is certeine that none of these kindes of death doe happen but by the will of god Yet for all this who shall be so bolde as to pleade against him And if any bee so mad that he doe what shall he preuaile Hereof we must be persuaded that none perish by his commandement but such as he hath appointed to die But whereas his oxen his asses his sheepe are rehearsed we may gather that he was rich inough that pouertie could not prouoke him to committe this wicked fact wherein his vnsattable couetousnesse be wrayed it selfe that he desired stollen goodes not for necessitie but for rioâ—â—e and excesse 25 Iosue saide c. This seemeth to be to harde an insultation as though he purposed to driue the miserable man whom he shoulde haue exhorted to patience almost into furie and madnesse Howbeit I doubt not but that he spake this for the peoples sake that it might be a profitable example for them all I iudge therefore that he meant not to ouerwhelme Achan with disperation but in his person to shewe how greeuous an offence it was to trouble the Church of god Although it may be that the proude man complained that his satisfaction was not receiued wherby he thought to haue bene discharged and that therefore Iosue either to reforme or breake his pride and stubbornesse inueihed more sharpely against him For by the interrogation it semeth that he did expostulate with him and when he called God the Iudge he seemeth to stop the obstinate mans mouth That all the people threwe stones it was done in signe of detestation as if they would testifie that they were most clere of that crime which they did reuenge in another and still did abhorre it The heape of stones was partly a monument to the posteritie partly for this cause that if the place had ben voâ—de some man vnawares might gather vp the parcelles of gold and siluer For although God at the first commaunded the gold and the siluer to be offered vnto him yet would he not haue his sanctuarie polluted with thefte Chap. 8. AFTER the Lorde saide vnto Ioshua Feare not neither be thou faint hearted take all the men of warre with thee and arise goe vp to Ai behold I haue giuen into thine hande the King of Ai and his people and his Citie and his lande 2 And thou shalt doe to Ai and to the King thereof as thou diddest to Iericho to the King thereof neuerthelesse the spoile thereof the cattell thereof shall ye take vnto you for a pray thou shalt lie in waite against the Citie on the backeside thereof 3 Then Ioshua arose and all the men of warre to goe vp against Ai and Ioshua chose out thirtie thousande strong men and valiant and sent them away by night 4 And he commaunded them saying Beholde ye shall lie in waite against the Citie on the backeside of the Citie goe not verie farre from the Citie but be ye all in a readinesse 5 And I and all the people that are with me will approche vnto the Citie and when they shall come out against vs as they did at the first time then will we flee before them 6 For they will come out after vs till we haue brought them out of the citie for they will say They flee before vs as at the first time so we will flee before them 7 Then you shall rise vp from lying in waite and destroy the citie for the Lord your God will deliuer it into your hand 8 And when ye haue taken the citie ye shall set it on fire according to the commaundement of the Lord shall ye doe beholde I haue charged you 9 Ioshua then sent them forth and they went to lie in waite and abode betweene Beth-el and Ai on the West side of Ai but Ioshua lodged that night among the people 10 And Ioshua rose vp earely in the morning and numbered the people and he and the Elders of Israel went vp before the people against Ai. 11 Also all the men of warre that were with him went vp and drewe neere and came against the citie pitched on the North-side of Ai and there was a vallie betweene them and Ai 12 And he tooke about fiue thousand men and set them to lie in waite betweene Beth-el and Ai on the West side of the citie 13 And the people set all the host that was on the Northside against the citie and the liers in waite on the West against the citie and Ioshua went the same night into the middest of the vallie 14 And when the King of Ai sawe it then the men of the citie hasted and rose vp earely and went out against Israel to battell he and all his people at the time appointed before the plaine for he knew not that any lay in waite against him on the backside of the citie 15 Then Ioshua and all Israel as beaten before them fled by the way of the wildernesse 16 And all the people of the citie were called together to pursue after them and they pursued after Ioshua and were drawen away out of the citie 17 So that there was not a man left in Ai nor in Beth-el that went not out after Israel and they left the citie open and pursued after Israel 18 Then the Lord said vnto Ioshua Stretch out the speare that is in thine hand toward Ai for I will geue it into thine hand and Ioshua stretched out the speare that he had in his hand toward the citie 19 And they that lay in wayte arose quickly out of their place and ranne as soone as he had stretched out his hand they entred into the citie and tooke it and hasted and set the citie on fire 20 And the men of Ai looked behinde them and sawe it for loe the smoke of the citie ascended vp to heauen and they had no power to flee this way or that way for the people that fled to the wildernesse turned backe vpon the pursuers 21 When Ioshua and all Israel sawe that they that lay in wayte had taken the citie and that the smoke of the citie mounted vp then they turned againe and slue the men of Ai. 22 Also the other issued out of the citie against them so were they in the middest of Israel these being on the one side and the rest on the other side and they slue them so that they let none of them remaine nor escape 23 And the King of Ai they tooke aliue and brought him to Ioshua 24 And when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field that is in the wildernesse where they chased them and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword vntill they were consumed all the Israelites returned vnto Ai and smote it with the edge of the sworde 25 And all that fell that day
their actes and deedes I truly by that worde doe vnderstand either God or Israel rather than the author of the historie 14 And there was no day c. Once againe we reade in the Prophet Esaie and in the holy historie that the ordinarie course of the Sunne was chaunged in fauour of King Ezechias For that he might be persuaded that his life should be prolonged by the space of fifteene yeares the shadowe of the Sunne was drawen backe by tenne degrees whiche he had descended Therefore it is not precisely denied that any such like thing hath bene graunted to any other but the miracle is extolled as singular Whereas some turne the Uerbe SHAMANG to obey I refuse it as to hard For though it is said in the Psalme that God doth according to the desire of his seruantes which is as much in effect as to obey yet it is better to auoide what soeuer seemeth to bring GOD in subiection Simply therefore the excellencie of the miracle is praised because no such thing had bene seene before nor hath happened afterward In the seconde member of the verse as well the gentlenesse and facilitie of God is commended as also his fatherlie fauour towardes the people for whom he is saied to haue fought 15 After Ioshue returned and all Israel with him vnto the campe to Gilgal 16 But the fiue Kings fled were hid in a caue at Mak-kedah 17 And it was tolde Ioshue saying The fiue Kinges are found hid in a caue at Mak-kedah 18 Then Ioshue saide Roll great stones vpon the mouth of the caue and set men by it for to keepe them 19 But stand ye not still followe after your enimies and smite all the hindmost suffer them not to enter into their cities for the Lorde your God hathe giuen them into your hand 20 And when Ioshue and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with an exceeding great slaughter till they were consumed and the rest that remained of them were entred into walled cities 21 Then all the people returned to the campe to Ioshue at Mak-kedah in peace no man moued his tongue against the children of Israel 22 After Ioshue saide Open the mouthe of the caue and bring out these fiue Kinges vnto me foorth of the caue 23 And they did so and brought out those fiue Kinges vnto him foorth of the caue euen the King of Hierusalem the King of Hebron the King of Iarmuth the King of Lachish and the King of Eglon. 24 And when they had brought out those Kings vnto Ioshue Ioshue called for all the men of Israel and saide vnto the chiefe of the men of warre which went with him Come neere set your feete vpon the neckes of these Kings and they came neere and set their feete vppon their neckes 25 And Ioshue said vnto them Feare not nor be faint hearted but be strong of a good courage for thus will the Lord doe to all your enimies against whome ye fight 26 So then Ioshue smote them and slewe them and hanged them on fiue trees and they hanged still vpon the trees vntill the euening 27 And at the going downe of the Sunne Ioshue gaue commandement that they shoulde take them downe off the trees and cast them into the caue wherein they had bene hid and they layed great stones vpon the caues mouth which remaine vntill this day 28 And the same day Ioshue tooke Mak-kedah and smote it with the edge of the sworde and the King thereof destroyed he with them and all the soules that were therein he let none remaine for he did to the King of Mak-kedah as he had done vnto the King of Iericho 15 And Ioshue returned c. This verse is interlaced not in proper place For immediatly after is annexed the ende of the battell and the punishment that was taken of the Kinges which followed after the battell It is saide also that they pitched in Mak-kedah at length in the ende of the Chapter is repeated that which is here saide without regarde of the order of the time of their returne into Gilgal Therfore that which is told of the fleeing and hiding of the Kinges agreeth with the historie before For when worde was brought to Iosue in the middest of the heate of the battell that they were hidde in a caue he prouideth wisely least if he shoulde haue bene occupied in taking of them the rest should haue escaped Therefore he commaundeth that the mouth of the caue should be stopt vp with great stones setteth men to keepe them that being inclosed as it were in prison they might be drawne foorth in due time to suffer death And hereof it appeareth that it was an exceeding great armie that when the Israelites followed fiercely at the backes of them that fled the Sunne himselfe gaue them leisure to kill them yet it could not be auoyded but that many escaped into the strong cities But this was sufficient to testifie the goodnesse of God that without resistaunce they slue as many as came in their handes vntill they were wearie and returned without losse For where it is saide that none durst stirre their tongue it is noted that the victorie was without bloudshed on the Israelites parte as if they had come foorth not to a battell but to a slaughter 18 Then said Ioshue c. When the armie was discomfited then Iosue did freely and at leisure take punishment on the Kinges wherein we must alway consider the commaundement of god Or else it had bene barbarous crueltie intollerable pride to tread with their feete vppon the neckes of Kinges and to hang vp their dead bodies vppon the gallowes For surely they were not long before lifted vp by God into that excellent dignitie placed in the royall throne Wherefore so to reioyce in despight of them had bene no point of humanitie but that God did so commaunde it But because he would haue it to be so we must rest in his sentence neither is it lawfull to enquire Why he was so seuere Although we must remember that which I touched before that seing from the highest to the lowest they were all worthie of destruction because their iniquitie was come vp to the full the Kings which exceeded the rest in wickednesse deserued the sharper punishment and secondly example of rigour without mercie was to be shewed in their person least the people fondly desiring the praise of vnlawfull clemencie should haue bene made more readie to pardon the rest For God would haue them all to be destroyed and the execution of this iudgement he had committed to his people And except he had sharpely pricked them forwarde to doe their duetie in this behalfe they would haue found out goodly pretences of graunting of pardon But that mercie is detestable which breaketh the authoritie of God for the will and pleasure of men Now when the honour of Kinges is not spared all cause of humanitie towardes the inferiours and the whole
seuenth lotte came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families 41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah and Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh 42 And Shaalabim and Aiialon and Ithlah 43 And Elon and Themnathah and Ekron 44 And Eltekeh and Gibbethon and Baalah 45 And Iehud and Bene-berak and Gathrimmon 46 And Me-iarkon and Rakkon with the border that lieth before Iapho 47 But the coastes of the children of Dan fell out too little for them therefore the children of Dan went vp to fight against Leshem and tooke it and smote it with the edge of the sword and possessed it and dwelt therein and called Leshem Dan after the name of Dan their father 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families that is these cities and their villages 49 When they had made an end of diuiding the land by the coastes thereof then the children of Israel gaue an inheritance vnto Ioshue the sonne of Nun among them 50 According to the worde of the Lorde they gaue him the citie which he asked euen Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim he builte the citie and dwelt therein 51 These are the heritages which Eleazar the Priest and Ioshue the sonne of Nun and the chiefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel diuided by lot in Shiloh before the Lorde at the dore of the tabernacle of the congregation so they made an end of diuiding the countrie Now he intreateth of the lotte of Nepthalie which seemeth to agree with the natures and manners of that tribe For Iacob had testified that they should be gentle vse faire speech to their neighboures After this manner it seemeth that of the one parte they ioyned vppon the children of Iuda and in other partes were compassâ—d about with the defence of their brethren Surely when it is said that the tribe of Dan tooke Lesen by assault there seemeth to be a secret comparison because the children of Nepthalie did not thrust into their inheritance by force of armes but kept themselues quietly in a peaceable prouince and so vnder the fidelitie and as it were the protection of the tribe of Iuda they were safe and at rest But where it is saide that the children of Dan challenged by force of armes the possession of the citie Lesen which was assigned them by God it happened after the death of Iosue But here is breefly and by the way enterlaced that historie which is set foorth more at large in the booke of Iudges for their valiantnesse was worthie of praise so to embrace the right graunted to them by God that trusting in him they went foorth manfully to chase away their enimies 49 When they had made an end c. Now at the length here is rehearsed the thankfulnesse of the people towarde Iosue Aâ—hough there ought to be an equall partition of the land of Chanaan among the posteritie of Abraham yet Iosue through the excellencie of his vertues deserued some honourable reward aboue the rest Neither could any man complaine that one man was enriched by the losse of many for first by his long staying shineth foorth the modestie of the holie man that he prouideth not for his priuate wealth before the publike state was well set in order For where shall you finde a man which after he hath declared one or two tokens of his manhood will not streight way make haâ—te to be partaker of the prey But Iosue did not so which thinketh not of him selfe vntill all the lande be diuided Also in the verie reward it selfe which he obteined the same temperaunce and frugalitie is seene He desireth a citie to be graunted to him and his familie which was indeed but a â—eape of stones for either it was destroyed and defaced with ruines or else there was no citie at all builded there But the coniecture may be likelie that to the intent his reward might be without enuie he required some such plot as was not verie wealthie If any man thinke it an absurditie that he bestowed not his labour freely let him consider that he obeyed the calling of God most liberally and freely and that he did not take so great trauell to indure so many dangers and troubles with the affection of an hireling But when he had executed his office willingly he was not to refuse a monument of the grace of God vnlesse with peruerse froward contempt he would haue ouerwhelmed his glorie For that prerogatiue which was offered vnto him was nothing else but a plaine testimonie of that heuenlie power which was shewed forth by his hand Neither can any ambition be here noted because he desireth nothing for him selfe nor rashely thrusteth in his couetous appetite but requireth to haue that honour which God had alredie bestowed vppon him to be confirmed by the consent of the people Yea if he had held his peace he had geuen a signe of slouthfulnes rather than of modestie Where as it is rehearsed in the end of the Chapter that Iosue and Eleazer made an end of distributing the lande it perteineth to a perpetuall Lawe of determination of their boundes that the children of Israel should stirre or moue nothing to weaken or deface that vnchaungeable decree of God. Chap. 20. THE Lorde also spake vnto Ioshue saying 2 Speake to the children of Israel and say Appoint you cities of refuge whereof I spake vnto you by the hand of Moses 3 That the slayer that killeth any person by ignorance and vnwittingly may flee thither and they shall be your refuge from the auenger of bloud 4 And he that doeth flee vnto one of those cities shall stand at the entring of the gate of the citie and shall shewe his cause to the Elders of the citie and they shall receiue him into the citie vnto them and giue him a place that he may dwell with them 5 And if the auenger of bloud pursue after him they shall not deliuer the slaier into his hand because he smote his neighbour ignorantly neither hated he him before time 6 But he shall dwell in that citie vntill he stand before the Congregation in iudgment or vntill the death of the high Priest that shal be in those dayes then shall the slaier returne and come vnto his owne citie and vnto his owne house euen vnto the citie from whence he fled 7 Then they appointed Kedesh in Galil in mount Nephtali and Sechem in mount Ephraim and Kiriath-arba which is Hebron in the mountaine of Iudah 8 And on the other side Iordan towarde Iericho Eastwarde they appointed Bezer in the wildernesse vpon the plaine out of the tribe of Ruben and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh 9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel and for the straunger that soiourned among them that whosoeuer killed any person ignorantly might flee thither and not dye by the hand of the
Therefore we must consider that when the lottes were cast in the name of the ten tribes certeine cities in the land of Chanaan were drawen out of euery portion in which the Leuites shoulde dwell For they had their portion alredie appointed them beyond Iordan But whereas the Leuites come and require that the gifte of God may be confirmed that they might possesse their cities with their suburbes it is like they were neglected vntill they pleaded their owne cause For so it falleth out commonly while euery man is busie to prouide for him selfe they forgette their brethren Surely it was a shame for the people to be pulled by the eare and to be brought in remembraunce of that which God had so plainly commaunded concerning the Leuites And yet if they had not spoken earnestly for a house they were in daunger to haue lien abroade in the fieldes Although we may easily gather that the people offended rather of negligence and forgetfulnesse than of purpose to defraud them for they make no delay as soone as they are admonished yea their obedience is praised that according to the worde of the Lorde they performed that which was equall and right 4 And the lotte c. Here is set foorth the number of the cities whereof must be spoken soone after Secondly here is plainely expressed that the lot of the sonnes of Aaron fell in the tribe of Iuda which happened not by chance for God by his meruellous counsell placed them in that seate where he had appointed his Temple to be builded Thirdly the names of the cities are rehearsed whereof Hebron is the first which Caleb suffered to be taken from him with a good will. If any man obiect that Hierusalem should haue bene especially geuen them where they should haue their lawefull abiding place the answere is easie that small and meane cities were deliuered to them such as their state required Moreouer Hierusalem was not yet recouered for the Iebusites had it in possession Finally it had bene against reason that the seate of the kingdome should haue bene appointed to the Priestes And in this their faith and religion was better approued that they went willingly out of their natiue countrie to doe their duetie about the holy affaires For no Priest did his office there but he was aforeigner dwelt in some other place But yet their infirmitie was borne withall when they were rewarded with cities that were neere about least it should be troublesome to them to take along iourney to doe their office But whereas one onely familie and that not verie populous had thirteene cities graunted for their habitation hereof is confirmed that I haue noted elsewhere that the other tribes had manie cities vnder their dominion whereof here is no mention and that shal be confirmed more certeinly soone after 20 But to the families of the children of Kohath of the Leuits which were the rest of the children of Kohath for the cities of their lot were out of the tribe of Ephraim 21 They gaue them the citie of refuge for the slaier Shechem with her suburbes in mount Ephraim and Gezer with her suburbes 22 And Kibzaim with her suburbes and Beth-horon with her suburbes foure cities 23 And out of the tribe of Dan Eltkeh with her suburbes Gibethon with her suburbes 24 Aiialon with her suburbes Gath-rimmon with her suburbes foure cities 25 And out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh Tanach with her suburbes and Gath-rimmon with her suburbes two cities 26 All the cities for the other families of the children of Kohath were ten with their suburbes 27 Also vnto the children of Gershon of the families of the Leuites they gaue out of the halfe tribe of Manasseh the citie of refuge for the slaier Golan in Bashan with her suburbes and Beeshterah with her suburbes two cities 28 And out of the tribe of Issachar Kis-hon with her suburbs Dabereh with her suburbes 29 Iarmuth with her suburbes En-gannim with her suburbes foure cities 30 And out of the tribe of Asser Mishal with her suburbes Abdon with her suburbes 31 Helkoh with her suburbes and Rehob with her suburbes foure cities 32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali the citie of refuge for the slaier Kedesh in Galil with her suburbes and Hammoth-dor with her suburbes and Kartan with her suburbes three cities 33 All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteene cities with there suburbes 34 Also vnto the families of the children of Merari the rest of the Leuites they gaue out of the tribe of Zebulun Iokneam with her suburbes and Cartah with her suburbes 35 Dimnah with her suburbes Nahalal with her suburbes foure cities 36 And out of the tribe of Ruben Bezer with her suburbes and Iahazah with her suburbes 37 Kedemoth with her suburbes and Mephaath with her suburbes foure cities 38 And out of the tribe of Gad they gaue for a citie of refuge for the slaier Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbes and Mahanaim with her suburbes 39 Heshbon with her suburbes and Iazer with her suburbes foure cities in all 40 So all the cities of the children of Merari according to their families which were the rest of the families of the Leuites were by their lot twelue cities 41 And all the cities of the Leuites within the possession of the children of Israel were eight and fourtie with their suburbes 42 These cities lay euerie one seuerally with their suburbes round about them so were all these cities 43 So the Lorde gaue vnto Israel all the land which he had sworne to giue vnto their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt therein 44 Also the Lorde gaue them rest round about according to all that he had sworne vnto their fathers and there stoode not a man of all their enimies before them for the Lord deliuered all their enimies into their hand 45 There failed nothing of all the good thinges which the Lorde had said vnto the house of Israel but all came to passe 20 But to the families of the sonnes of Kahath c. For what cause it behoued the Leuites to be dispersed into euerie tribe let the reader seeke in Moses Indeed this punishment was laied vppon their father for the vnfaithfulnesse and crueltie which he practised against the Sichemites But in steede of reproch this dispersion was turned into their exceeding great honour that they being placed as watchmen in euerie region might keepe the people in the pure worship of god They were indeede but as tenantes in euerie place but with so great dignitie as ouerseers appointed by God to take heed that the people should not fall away from true godlinesse This is the reason why it is reported so diligently how many cities fell vnto them in euerie tribe that they might be alwayes as watchmen to preserue the purenesse of religion amongst them 41 All the cities of the Leuites c. This place especially doeth teach that which I haue touched once or twise before that the boundes
footing in the land of Chanaā but that you may enioy the same as your owne For truly when mentiō is made of chasing away the nations a quiet and vndisturbed possession is noted Therefore as by diuiding of the riuer God clearly shewed that his power was with the Israelites so the people likewise ought to conceiue hope of continuall aide as if they had alredie seene their enimies vanquished and discomfited For God vseth not to forsake the worke of his hands which he hath taken vpon him maymed and vnperfect God diuided the waters of Iordan to make a drie passage to bring his people into the promised inheritance Therefore what had bene greater frowardnesse than that they should haue stayed in that one transitorie acte and not to haue had sure trust in him alwayes afterward vntill they had obteined full and quiet possession of the lande Wherefore by this example let vs learne wisely to ioyne together such benefits of God as perteine to the summe of our saluation that happie beginnings may nourish in vs an hope of like ending And whereas Iosue doeth say that the people should knowe by that miracle that God was present he doth couertly reproue their distrust because the only promise of God ought to haue ben sufficient to their ful assurance vpō which alone if our faith be not grounded we can not choose but wauer and stagger often times But notwithstanding that our faith ought properly to rest in the onely trueth of God yet that letteth not but triall by experience as a second prop of our weakenesse and a profitable aide for confirmation may help to stay the same For that which God hath promised by his worde he sealeth and confirmeth by the deed it selfe and looke how many documents of his grace and power he setteth foorth vnto vs in actes he would haue them to be so many trialles of his word aids to take away all doubfulnes 11 Behold the Arke c. First he saith the Arke shall goe before them then he declareth for what end namely that Iordane might geue place as astonished at the presence sight of God as it is said in the Psalme As for that storie which is interlaced of the twelue men c. is broken off because he doeth but only touch breefly those matters which afterward he setteth out plainly and more at large Now let vs obserue no more but this that when the Ark went before God shewed his power in gouerning the people And by this meanes was cōmended that religious worship which was according to the lawe when the Israelites did see that it was no vaine thing which God committed to them to be the token of his presence For the riuer Iordane was none otherwise constreined vnto obedience than if it had seene the maiestie of god And yet withall let vs remember that God was not moued in any other respect to set forth his grace in the Arke but because he had placed therein the tables of his couenant And because the matter was hard to be credited Iosue called backe the minds of the people to consider the power of God which ouercōmeth all difficulties For it is no small title The Lord of all the earth which is here geuen to God but it aduaunceth his authoritie ouer all the elementes of the worlde that the Israelites should not doubt seeing that seas and flouds are vnder his dominion but that the waters though of their owne nature they be running yet by his commandement should be made to stand vnmoueable 14 Then when the people were departed from their tentes to goe ouer Iordan the Priests bearing the Arke of the couenant went before the people 15 And as they that bare the Arke came vnto Iordan and the feete of the Priests that bare the Arke were dipped in the brinke of the water for Iordan vseth to fill all his banks all the time of haruest 16 Then the waters that came downe from aboue stayed and rose vp on an heape and departed farre from the citie of Adan that was beside Zaretan but the waters that came downe towarde the Sea of the wildernesse euen the salt Sea failed and were cut off so the people went right ouer against Iericho 17 But the Priests that bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord stood dry within Iordan redie prepared and all the Israelites went ouer drye vntill all the people were gone cleane ouer through Iordan 15 After they came c. The vertue of the Priests was worthie of no smal cōmendation which went forward boldly into the chanell euen into the water it selfe where manifest daunger of drowning seemed to be For after they had once entred the water with their feete what might they looke for but soone after to fall into the deepe goulfe in which they shoulde be ouerwhelmed ▪ Therefore whereas they were not made afraide when they came to the riuer it selfe but that they kept on their way vnto the place that was appointed them it was a signe of singular good courage which they had conceiued of faith This was moreouer a peculiar temptation that the riuer Iordane had then ouerflowed his bankes as he vseth yearely to doe in the beginning of Summer For the plaine being couered with water the tracte of the bankes coulde not be knowen nor any shallowe be found and the waters being spread all abroade increased feare and carefulnesse And with these lettes would God haue his people and especially the priestes to striue that the victorie of their faith and constancie might be the more excellent and besides that by these difficulties he extolleth the glorie of the miracle when those waters gaue place at his commaundement and stoode as it were cloddered together on an heape which had before ouerflowed their bankes First therefore he setteth foorth the order of the miracle to take away all doubt least prophane and vnreligious men shoulde seeke out other causes to ouerwhelme the grace of god It may come to passe in deed naturally that for a short time the streame of waters may be stayed and some drie plotte may appeare or else the course of a riuer may be chaunged and turne it selfe an other way But that waters should stande still gathered together on an heape it coulde neuer come to passe naturally or by chaunce After this sort it is saide that the waters which before flowed out of an higher ground so that by their onely fall they sought a continuall course did now stand still not runne And there is no dout but this wonderfull sight was terrible to beholde that the Israelites might the rather acknowledge that they were saued in the middest of death For what other thing seemed that great heape of waters but euen as a graue to ouerwhelme the whole multitude if the waters had once runne downe according to their nature If they had walked vppon the waters faith shoulde haue bene in steede of a bridge vnto them But now while the mountaines of waters
of Gods worship but because the weakenesse of men must be aided with such healpes the better to prepare and stirre vp them selues to reuerence And euen as God by his presence doeth sanctifie those places in whiche he appeareth so I thinke that the excellencie of the lande of Chanaan is set foorth with this commendation that God had chosen himselfe a seate there in whiche he woulde be purely worshipped Wherevpon it is coÌ„monly called his test In the ende of the verse the obedience of Iosue is praised that the posteritie may learne to exercise godlinesse in that lande holily and deuoutly after his example So there seemeth to be a secrete comparison or opposition which doth extoll the lande of Chanaan aboue other regions Chap. 6. NOW Iericho was shut vp and closed because of the children of Israel none might goe out nor enter in 2 And the Lorde said vnto Ioshua Beholde I haue geuen into thine hande Iericho and the king thereof and the strong men of warre 3 All ye therefore that be men of warre shall compasse the citie in going round about the citie once thus shall you doe sixe dayes 4 And seuen Priestes shall beare seuen trumpets of Rammes hornes before the Arke and the seuenth day ye shall compasse the citie seuen times and the Priestes shall blowe with the trumpets 5 And when they make a long blast with the Rammes hornes and ye heare the sounde of the trumpet all the people shall shoute with a great shoute then shall the wall of the Citie fall downe flat and the people shall ascende vp euerie man streight before him 6 Then Ioshua the sonne of Nun called the Priestes and saide vnto them Take vp the Arke of the couenaunt and let seuen Priestes beare seuen trumpets of Rammes hornes before the Arke of the Lorde 7 But he saide vnto the people Goe and compasse the Citie and let him that is armed goe foorth before the Arke of the Lorde 8 And when Ioshua had spoken vnto the people the seuen Priestes bare the seuen trumpets of Rammes hornes and went foorth before the Arke of the Lorde and blewe with the trumpets and the Arke of the couenaunt of the Lorde followed them 9 And the men of armes went before the Priestes that blewe the trumpets then the gathering host came after the Arke as they went and blewe the trumpets 10 Now Ioshua had commaunded the people saying Yee shall not shoute neither make any noyse with your voyce neither shall a woorde proceede out of your mouth vntill the day that I say vnto you Shoute then shall all ye shoute 11 So the Arke of the Lorde compassed the citie and went about it once then they returned into the host and lodged in the campe 12 And Ioshua rose early in the morning and the Priestes bare the Arke of the Lorde 13 Also seuen Priestes bare seuen trumpets of Rams hornes and went before the Arke of the Lorde and going blewe with the trumpets and the men of armes went before them but the gathering host came after the Arke of the Lorde as they went and blewe the trumpets 14 And the seconde day they compassed the citie once and returned into the host thus they did sixe dayes 15 And when the seuenth day came they rose early euen with the dawning of the day and compassed the citie after the same maner seuen times onely that day they compassed the citie seuen times 16 And when the Priestes had blowen the trumpâ—â—s the seuenth time Ioshua saide vnto the people Shoute for the Lord hath geuen you the citie 17 And the citie shal be an execrable thing both it and all that are therein vnto the Lorde onely Rahab the harlot shall liue she and all that are with her in the house for she hid the messengers that we sent 18 Notwithstanding be ye warie of the execrable thing least ye make your selues execrable and in taking of the execrable thing make also the host of Israel execrable and trouble it 19 But all siluer and golde and vesselles of brasse and yron shal be consecrate vnto the Lorde and shall come into the Lordes treasurie 1 Iericho was shut c. He saith that Iericho was shut vp because the gates were not opened as in time of warre Cities are kept more diligently than at other times And for greater vehemencie he addeth that the gates were locked as if he shoulde say That the Citizens were diligent to keepe watche and warde least they shoulde be surprised vnawares So there was no way to take it except it were by violence of assault for by policie it coulde not be taken This setteth foorth the grace of God because along and painefull seege woulde haue wearied the children of Israel except present remedie had bene speedily shewed out of Heauen For in the meane time there was great danger least they being driuen into a narrowe corner might be consumed with famine and hunger because it was not possible to haue prouision of victualles in their enimies lande God therefore aideth them with an vnwoonted miracle that they shoulde not linger long at one Citie and ouerthrowing the walles maketh an open breache for them to enter that they might be the bolder to assault other Cities afterwarde Nowe we see how the two first verses agree together namely that Iericho was shut vp and so the children of Israel were kept out from entering thereinto and that God promised that he would take the Citie by assault himselfe for that by this meanes he woulde preuent them that they shoulde not trouble themselues by doubtfull deliberation To be short God prouideth by this so happie beginning so easie victorie that their heartes shoulde not faint in time to come In the meane time we may note the brutish dullnesse of that people which thought that their walles and gates were able to resist the power of God as though it were an harder matter to breake and dissolue a fewe boordes and stones than to drie vp the waters of Iordan 3 You shall compasse c. The promise in deede of it selfe was sufficient and of force to make them hope for victorie but the maner of the doing whiche was appointed seemed so ridiculous that it tooke away the credit of the promise God commaundeth that they shoulde compasse the Citie rounde about euery day vntill the seuenth day and that day he biddeth them to compasse it seuen times to blowe the trumpets and to shout all whiche was nothing else but to play like children But it was a goodly matter that their faith was proued by this triall that while in the thing it selfe they sawe nothing but a deceiuing of their hope yet they might neuerthelesse stay themselues in the oracle of God for which purpose he doth often hide his power for a season vnder infirmitie and seemeth to play with vaine trifles that at the length his weakenes may appeare stronger than all power and his foolishnes may shine aboue all wisdome So when the Israelites bidding
she had also they brought out all her familie and put them without the host of Israel 24 After they burnt the citie with fire and all that was therein onely the siluer and the golde and the vesselles of brasse and yron they put vnto the treasure of the house of the Lord. 25 So Ioshua saued Rahab the harlot and her fathers housholde and all that she had and she dwelt in Israel euen vnto this day because she had hid the messengers which Ioshua sent to spie out Iericho 26 And Ioshua sware at that time saying Cursed be the man before the Lord that riseth vp and buildeth this citie Iericho he shall lay the foundation therof in his eldest sonne and in his yongest sonne shall he set vp the gates of it 27 So the Lord was with Ioshua and he was famous through all the worlde 20 So the people shouted c. Here the obedience of the people is praised and also the trueth of GOD is magnified They testified their faith by their shouting being persuaded that they were not commanded to doe so in vaine and GOD suffereth them not to loose their labour but fulfilleth in art that which he promised by his worde The other vertue was not inferiour to this that despising the vnlawfull gaine they willingly destroyed all the spoile of the citie For no doubt but many thought in them selues on this maner Why will GOD haue so great riches to bee cast away Why doeth he enuie vs to enioy those thinges which he hath deliuered into our handes Why doeth he not rather rewarde vs with it that we might haue occasion to geue him thankes But letting all reasons passe that might hinder them from doing their duâ—tie they doe willingly cast away all the spoile which they had in their handes euen the riches of an whole citie which was a token of care and excellent continencie That they slue all the people without respect of age or sexe both women and children young and olde it might seeme to bee a cruell murther but that GOD him selfe commanded it so to bee done But because he in whose power are life and death had iustly condemned those nations vnto destruction let all argument and disputation cease Adde herevnto that he had borne with them foure hundred yaeres alreadie vntill their iniquitie were come to the full Who shoulde now complaine of immoderate rigour when God suspendeth his iudgement so long If any man will obiect That yet at the least the young infantes were free from offence the answeare is readie Because they were a cursed and a reprobate broade they were iuâ—â—ly destroyed This in deed we must confesse that it had bene extreame and barbarous crueltie if the Israelites following their owne rage and furie had slaine the tender infantes with their mothers but now it is accompted godly and laudable fortiâ—â—de and defended to be a holy zeale while they execute the commaundement of God which woulde haue the lande of Chanaan whiche long time had bene corrupted with foule and stinking filthinesse in this sort to be purged 22 Iosue saide to the two men c. How faithfull and vpright Iosue was to keepe promise appeareth by this carefulnesse but because the whole citie was subiect to the curse the question may be moued of the exception of one familie For it was not lawfull for a mortall man to chaunge any thing in the sentence of god But because Rahab had couenanted for her safegard by inspiration of Gods spirite I iudge that Iosue in preseruing her did nothing but wisely with good consideration Moreouer the messengers at that time were not tied with any religion because GOD had not yet pronounced his pleasure concerning the destruction of the Citie For they had hearde generally that all those nations were to be destroyed yet was it free for them to make a couenant with one woman which willingly departed and fell away from her owne countriemen Although a more readie answeare will followe soone after namely while by the commaundement of God the Israelites exhorted all men against whom they came to yeelde them selues vpon hope of pardon but they blinded with stubbornesse refused the peace that was offered because God determined to destroy them all when all the rest were manifestly hardened vnto their owne destruction it followeth that Rahab was exempted by priuiledge that when the rest perished she might be preserued Wherefore Iosue did wisely consider that this woman which willingly remoued into the Churche of God not without the peculiar grace of God was deliuered in time from the destruction In deede the case of her father and her whole familie was not lâ—â—e but seeing they did all willingly renounce their former state by promptnesse of obedience they confirmed that preseruation which Rahab couenanted for them But by the example of Iosue let vs learne that although we doe not maliciously and of set purpose breake our faith and promise yet that is not sufficient to testifie our honestie except we geue all diligence to perfourme suche couenantes as we haue made For he doeth not onely suffer Rahab to be saued by her ghestes but he taketh heede in time that at the first tumult she suffer no iniurie and that they might be more redie to doe their duetie he putteth them in minde that they were bound to it by oth 23 So the spies entered c. No doubt but God woulde haue them to be saued whose mindes he bended so willingly to imbrace their deliuerance Or else they would haue cast her off no lesse proudly nor with lesse scorne than the two sonnes in lawe of Lot did But they are muche better prouided for while they are set without the host so by straight charge are called to the deniall of their former life For if they had bene immediately admitted and ioyned vnto the people perhaps they would neuer haue thought of their vncleannesse and so might haue bene frosen in it Now when they be placed apart least they shoulde infecte the congregation with their uncleannesse they are stricken with shame which might moue them to earnest repentaunce For it is not to be thought that they were remoued into a place of safetie least any of the people should haue violently risen against them for they should haue bene receiued with great fauour and gratulation of all men but in the solitarie place they were more subiect to hurt Wherefore by this separation their former vncleannesse was set before their eyes least they being defiled shoulde rashly rushe into the holie assemblie but rather by this rudiment shoulde be taught to chaunge their former life For it followeth soone after that they dwelt in the middest of the people for when they were purged from their vncleannesse they began to be taken none otherwise than if they had bene descended from the stocke of Abraham Finally it signifieth that after they had confessed them selues to haue liued before in filthinesse they were admitted indifferently with the rest And by
both of men and women were twelue thousand euen all the men of Ai. 26 For Ioshua drewe not his hand backe againe which he had stretched out with the speare vntill he had vtterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. 27 Only the cattell and the spoile of this citie Israel tooke for a pray vnto them selues according vnto the worde of the Lorde which he commanded Ioshua 28 And Ioshua burnt Ai and made it an heape for euer and a wildernesse vnto this day 29 And the King of Ai he hanged on a tree vnto the euening And as soone as the sunne was downe Ioshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree and cast it at the entring of the gate of the citie and lay thereon a great heape of stones that remaineth vntill this day 1 And the Lorde said c. It was to great purpose to encourage Iosue the people a fresh that they might cheerefully addresse themselues to assault the citie of Hai from which with some losse greater shame they were repulsed God therefore that they might take vpon them this enterprise without feare promiseth that he will deliuer the citie vnto them For the same reason and purpose he commaundeth them to fight by policie rather than with open force to traine out their enimies and to lay a stale for them to entrap them unwares For it had bene an easie matter that a fewe thousandes should be ouerthrown with an infinite multitude if they had set open the citie soudenly at all aduentures But because we heard before that all their heartes were mealted God prouided for their infirmitie to lay no more charge vpon them than they might well beare vntill they were recouered from that ouermuch feare and waxed more couragious to execute his commaundementes It is true that he vsed at this time their diligence partly that they should not alwayes gape for miracles and so become slouthfull partly that in diuerse vnlike kinds of his working they might alwayes acknowledge the same power But this speciall reason is not to be omitted because they were not yet recouered out of their feare they coulde scarse be drawne to an open battell except the policie of entrapping their enimies had bene added for a succour Although the promise hath the first place Feare not because I haue deliuered it into thy handes which although by the worde it seemeth to be directed to Iosue yet doth it perteine to all the people indifferently because it was most necessarie that they should all and euerie one be deliuered out of doubtfulnesse and furnished with newe confidence And whereas he commaundeth the citie to be burned as Iericho was he seemeth to graunt that vnto the greefe of the people that the remembrance of the dishonour they receiued might be abolished with this reuengement but that they may take the iourney in hand more willingly he leaueth the spoyle vnto them as a reward of their victorie 13 Iosue arose c. It is not like that all the hoast was brought out of the campe but that an armie was made out of the multitude which was most accustomed to the warres And hereof it appeareth that it was a great armie that he sendeth away fiue thousand to lie in wayte For although it seemeth in the beginning that fiue and thirtie thousand are reckoned yet it is manifest by the context that the number was not all so great But rather I coniecture that he ledde thirtie thousand himselfe which should fight openly and that fiue thousand were set apart by themselues which shoulde lie in wayte That Iosue doth speedily execute that charge that was geuen him and taketh his iourney in the morning by this great hasting is expressed howe effectually the promise of God did worke in them For if all their mindes had not bene deliuered from feare he should neuer haue founde them so redie to obey But it seemeth that he doth not wisely sende from him so great a multitude which by priuie wayes should come to the place meete for the lying in wayte For although they went quietly in neuer so good aray yet with the onely mouing of their feete they must needes make a great noise Now if any man will say that no man mette them because all the inhabitantes of the countrie were fled out of the feeldes into the citie it is tolde soone after that before the Israelites came neere the citie that their comming was knowne vnto the King of Haâ— which scarse coulde haue bene done without espialles Now to graunt that no man mette them in the feeldes yet it was harde to passe by and in the night to set the ambushment in a conuenient place and that they should there stay but that they should bewray themselues by some token or other As touching the purpose of Iosue although he sawe right well that the turne might haue bene serued with a lesse companie yet it seemeth that he was constreined through the late trembling of the people to beware that he attempted nothing with daunger For if a small crewe had bene sent from the hoast perhaps they woulde haue refused the charge by which they were driuen into so great and manifest daunger In the meane time God dealeth more than mercifully with his people when he deliuereth their enimies so easily to be vanquished But his maruellous fauour herein doth especially appeare in that he so blindeth them al that none of them could suspect the traine that was made for them And I doubt not but where it is said that they knewe not but the writer of the historie doth commende a rare and vnwoonted benefite of God that he protected as it were with the shadowe of his hand first thirtie thousand which Iosue ledde and then the other fiue thousand that none of their enimies espied them Nowe when fiue thousand are mentioned I doe not so expounde it as though Iosue sent a newe ambushment to lie in waite as though the multitude which was alredie too great had not bene sufficient but onely he sheweth now howe he ordered the thirtie fiue thousand which he armed For to what purpose should so great a multitude haue so small an aide Nowe the same place is here noted which before was appointed where they were commanded to staie which would not agree vnto two ambushmentes 15 And Ioshue c. This was another practise that while they feigned to runne away they drew their enimies a great way off that they should haue no refuge into the citie afterward because it was set on fire before they suspected that any euill was to be feared behinde them For while the king of Hai pursueth the Israelites as vanquished that part of the armie which laie in secrete towardes Bethel had time enough to take the citie that the Citizens might know that they were vndone when it was too late to remedie it For when they were driuen backe before and many of them slaine after they sawe their citie on fire they
were driuen to vtter despaire and so inclosed that none could escape That some men make a question in this place Whether it be lawfull to oppresse our enimies with craft and subtiltie it proceedeth from grosse ignoraunce For it is certaine that warres are maintained not onely with hand strokes but they are counted the best Captaines which can doe more by arte and policie then by force and he that by long practise is made subtile and craftie is the best souldiour Therefore if the warre be lawfull there is no doubt but we may vse the accustomed artes of victorie so that either when truce is taken or any other way we breake not our faith and promise 17 And there remained not c. By the context it will appeare that some were taken in the Citie and slaine and therefore we must not vnderstande that all without exception did issue out of the citie as though olde men and women and children also came abroade into the feeldes but the sense is that no garison was lefte to keepe the Citie The same he pronounceth of Bethel wherevpon we may coniecture that because Bethel was a litle towne they warred not vnder their owne standard Hereof it was that because they were not able to defend their Citie they forsooke it offered all their strength to the king of Hai to whom perhaps they were tributaries But whether they went vnto the king of Hai before the comming of the people of Israel that they might meete with both their forces ioyned together that is vncertaine yet it is like that because they were not able to resist of them selues they came vpon agrement into Hai which was a stronger more populous Citie Doubtlesse they thought they could not otherwise be safe except they were preserued vnder the shadow of the next citie which farre exce'led theirs 18 And the Lorde saide c. This place teacheth that either by the great strength of the Citie or by the boldenesse of the Citizens or by trembling of the people of Israel the victorie was made harder to attaine to because God by the lifting vp of the speare promiseth that he would take the Citie himselfe For in a matter that had bene without doubtfulnesse the token had bene superfluous Wherefore it is like that their minds were carefull and doubtfull when God by the hand of Iosue lifteth vp a standard of crust that they should not faint Although soone after an other ende is noted where it is saide that the ambushment by this meanes was stirred vp ranne So that if that were the signe of rising vp it will not agree that the vanquishing power of God was shewed by the speare which should take all doubtfulnesse from them But because it is not expressed that this was the cause why the souldiers that lay in waite came foorth for that they sawe the speare it may be that they came foorth of their owne accorde either because it was high time or else because the crie and the noise admonished them that then the battell was in fighting And verily it is not credible that they could see the speare beeing so farre off namely because Iosue stayed in the vallie Morouer if we say that the lifting vp of the speare which serued for an other purpose did profit them also to be more encouraged therein is no absurditie at all This ought to be certaine that by the solemne token they were assured of the happie successe of that battell and secondly that the purpose of Iosue was nothing else but to encourage his souldiers by the commaundement of god For it followeth at the length that Iosue did not withdrawe his hande before the citie was taken his enimies destroyed and the warre finished Whereby it appeareth that in the middest of the conflict he carried vp his speare as a signe of triumphe that the Israelites should be in no doubt of the successe For although he had them fight and vse their weapons manfully yet did he likewise declare that they had already gotten the victorie And although it doth somewhat darken the order of the storie that one thing is twise repeated yet the effect is manifest that the children of Israel made as though they were afraid when they retired And that they beganne not to fight before the Citizens of Hai were shut both from returning and from defence of their citie and that after the two armies beganne to fight the other that lay in waite arose and made such haste that the flame of the citie being on fire was seene when their enimies turned their backes whereby they might gather that their citie was taken by the Israelites but that the chiefest slaughter was made when they that were in the citie came forth met them for then they were taken on both sides that they could make no more delay either by resisting or fleeing Therfore being halfe dead through despaire and brought into streightes they were slaine on euery side But where it is sayed that no slaughter was made in the citie before they returned which fained that they ranne away I doe so take it that they ioyned their forces and rushed in that they might gather the spoile and kill as many as yet remained If any man obiect that it was burnt while the battell was in fighting I answere that some parte was set on fire that both the armies might knowe that the Israelites had taken it but not that it was consumed with fire for they could not redily both gather the prey and driue it away yea carrie forth the vesselles and other houshold â—â—uffe in a moment of time and it had bene vnreasonable wilfully to destroy the spoile which God had geuen them We see therefore that the first fire was not kindled to destroy the whole citie but that parte which was on fire was a signe of taking the whole citie although the Israelites entred without any resistaunce in at the gates standing wide open And that is soone after confirmed while the burning of the citie is ascribed vnto Iosue not only because the citie was burnt vnder his conduct but because he returning from the battell caused it vtterly to be destroyed as followeth immediatly that he made it a heape and a perpetuall waste place 25 And the number c. The sense is not that all they that were slaine were inhabitantes of Hai but that whosoeuer dwelt there were slaine so that not one man escaped For we sawe before that the Citizens of Bethel were ioyned with them and there is no mention made afterward of that citie Wherevpon we may gather probably that they forsooke their towne which was not defensible and gate them selues into a stronger place which they thought might better be defended The wordes therefore doe meane simply that all they which issued out of the citie and which were found in the citie were slaine euery man Although if any man will referre this number vnto the olde men sicke men children and women which were slaine
c. I said before that by good right this league was in vaine and to no purpose For what doe they winne if they obteine their desire but that they should bee in safetie if they came out of a farre distant region of the world And the oftener they doe repeate the same lie the more they doe abbrogate the couenant procured by deceipt because the league is not conceiued but in these words That the Israelites doe not molest a straunge farre distant people especially when the Israelites doe by name exclude all the inhabitantes of the land of Chanaan Therefore they should haue gained no reward by their subtiltie Neither doth it any thing helpe them that they doe deceiue the minde of Iosue with a false pretence of the name of god For they pretende that they were come in the name of God as though they professed that they gaue glorie to God and euen to the God of Israel in which wordes is contained a refusall of those superstitions vnto which they were accustomed For if it were true that they were moued to come by the fame of those miracles which were shewed in Egypt they ascribe the highest power to the God of Israel though vnknowen to them 14 So the men tooke c. They be vaine collections of them which thinke they tasted of the bread to feele whether it were moldie with oldnesse or that they did confirme their league with a feast whereas in my iudgement rather their too much credulitie is reproued that they did lightly beleeue such a feigned tale and that while they looke only to the bread they did not consider that this feigned deuise was without colour of trueth And surely if their senses had not bene dulled they might easily haue found manie thinges to disproue the Gibeonites But because the quickest sight is sometimes deceiued with a vaine shewe their error is more sharpely reproued that they enquired not what was the pleasure of god The remedie was at hande if they had attempted nothing without the oracle of god And the matter was of such weight as they ought to haue diligently enquired of it Wherefore it was a signe of grosse negligence when the Priest was at hand which by Vrim and Thumim might haue enquired an answere of God to decree vnaduisedly of so doubtfull a matter as though they had had no counsell to direct them Wherefore their rashnesse was the lesse excusable which was ioyned with such manifest neglect of the grace of God. 16 But at the ende of three dayes after they had made a league with them they heard that they were their neighbours and that they dwelt among them 17 And the children of Israel tooke their iourney and came vnto their cities the thirde day and their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriathearim 18 And the children of Israel slewe them not because the Princes of the Congregation had sworne vnto them by the Lorde God of Israel wherefore all the Congregation murmured against the Princes 19 Then all the Princes said vnto all the Congregation We haue sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel now therefore we may not touche them 20 But this we will doe to them and let them liue lest the wrath be vppon vs because of the othe which we sware vnto them 21 And the Princes saide vnto them againe Let them liue but they shall hewe wood and drawe water vnto all the Congregation as the Princes appoint them 22 Ioshue then called them and talked with them and said Wherefore haue ye beguiled vs saying We are verie farre from you when ye dwell among vs 23 Nowe therefore ye are cursed and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. 24 And they answered Ioshue and said Because it was tolde thy seruantes that the Lorde thy God had commanded his seruant Moses to giue you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land out of your sight therefore we were exceeding sore afraide for our liues at the presence of you and haue done this thing 25 And beholde nowe we are in thine hand doe as it seemeth good and right in thine eyes to doe vnto vs. 26 Euen so did he vnto them and deliuered them out of the hand of the children of Israel that they slewe them not 27 And Ioshue appointed them that same daye to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Congregation and for the altar of the Lord vnto this day in the place which he should choose 16 And after three dayes c. That within three dayes after the error being espied their lightnesse was reproued the speedie punishment ought to haue stricken them with more reproch and shame For so it was knowen that through to much negligence they were more than shamefully deceiued because they would not staie to enquire of a matter that was almost before their eyes That they take their iourney peaceably in that countrie that they enter safely into the cities and find victualles at will that proceedeth of the fatherlie mercifulnesse of God which doeth not only pardon their offence but also turneth into good that which of right should haue bene hurtfull vnto them And here is declared that the children of Israel doe not exercise any hostilitie in that contrie because the immunitie that was promised to the Gibeonites was confirmed with an othe Now it is first demanded Whether the Israelits were bound by any religion whose purpose was nothing lesse than to bind their faith to such deceiuers Then ariseth an other question Whether it were not in the peoples authoritie to breake that which the Capteines had foolishly and lewdly promised As touching the generall sentence the religion of an othe ought to be so holy amongest vs that vnder pretence of error we departe not from those couenantes euen in which we haue bene deceiued seeing the holy name of God is more pretious than all the riches of the world Therefore though a man haue sworne vnaduisedly no losse or hinderance ought to breake his promise And I doubt not but in this sense Dauid saith that the true worshippers of God if they sweare to their hinderance do not chaunge it For they will rather suffer losse than by breaking their promise bring the name of God in contempte Wherefore I determine if only our priuate commoditie be to be considered whatsoeuer we haue promised by othe is to be performed And by the wordes it appeareth that the Israelites were afraid to bring the name of their God in reproch among the nations of Chanaan For I vnderstand that it is saide for vehemence sake that they sware by the God of Israel But there was a speciall reason which made it free for the Israelites not to abide by that deceiptfull couenant because they had not only departed from their owne right but also they had gone from the commandement of God which it
vew them except all lettes beeing remoued his way had bene made open by God himselfe This also increased the miracle that the King of Geser which came to aide the other no doubt but with great boldnesse was soudenly and with none a do discomfited and nothing stayed his continuall tenour of marching for warde As for them that were slaine in the cities doe as it were in a glasse represent those men whose punishment God suspendeth while he is doing execution vpon others for although they reioyce in themselues for the respite of a short time yet they are in worse case than if they had ben drawen vnto death at the first It had ben a miserable thing to haue ben slaine in the feelde Well they escaped and defend themselues with the malles of their cities But there which is more miserable their wiues children are slaine in their sight and they themselues haue a more shamefull ende than if they had bene slaine fighting in the feelde Let vs not therefore enuie the reprobate their short truce while God doth beare with them for when they shall promise vnto themselues securitie soudeine destruction shall come vpon them In the meane time let vs not abuse the long suffering of God while he deferreth his iudgement and if wee shall seeme to haue escaped one danger or if any holes offer themselues to hide vs let vs not therefore please our selues but rather let vs thinke uppon that saying of Ieremie That some ripe figges hauesome tast but other are reiected for their bitternesse 40 And Iosue smote c. Here againe is brought in the authoritie of God which dischargeth Iosue frō all note of crueltie for if he had raged without respect vpon his owne head against women and children none excuse would haue serued but that it had bene detestable crueltie the like whereof is not reade of no not in the sauage and almost beastlie nations But that which otherwise all men would abhorre we must reuerently embrace because it proceedeth from god Clemencie hath cheefe praise among vertues and worthily namely when men that haue bene hurt and which haue priuately iust cause to shed bloud doe moderate their wrath But because God had appointed the swordes of his people to slaie the Amorites Iosue could doe no other but obey his commandement Therefore by this voice not only the mouthes of all men are stopped but their mindes are also restrained that they steppe not forth to wrong iudgement If any man doe heare that Iosue siue all that came before him without respect although they threwe downe their weapons and humbly desired peace this bare and simple report woulde trouble quiet and peaceable mindes but when it is added As God commaunded it is no more lawfull to speake against it then when execution is done vppon wicked offenders And although in our iudgement at least wise the children and many women also were without fault let vs remember that the Court of heauen is not subiect to our lawes But rather when wee see that greene trees are so burnt wee that are drie wood ought to bee afraid of greater destruction And surely if euerie man do well examine himselfe he shall find him selfe worthie of an hundred deathes Why should not God then find iust matter of one death in an infant yet scarse come forth out of his mothers wombe In vaine truely should we trouble him with murmuring and grudging complaintes that he did throwe the issue of the cursed nation into the same destruction for when wee haue all saied the Potter hath still full and souereigne authoritie ouer his owne vessels or rather ouer the clay The last verse confirmeth that which I saied before that all the people had their abiding place in Gilgal the soldiers that went forth to the warre returned thither both to refreshe themselues from wearinesse and also to lay vp their praise in safetie For it was not meete that they should haue bene dispersed farre abroade till the lottes were cast which shewed where euery one shouldabide Chap. 11. ANd when Iabin King of Hazor had heard this then hee sent to Iobab King of Madon and to the King of Shimron and to the King of Achshaph 2 And vnto the Kinges that were by the North in the mountains and plaines towarde the Southside of Cinneroth and in the vallies and in the borders of Dor Westward 3 And vnto the Chanaanites both by East by West and vnto the Amorites and Hittites and Perizzites and Iebusites in the mountaines and vnto the Hiuites vnder Hermon in the land of Mizpeh 4 And they came out and all their hoastes with them many people as the sand that is on the Sea shoare for multitude with horses and charriots exceeding many 5 So all these Kinges met together and came and pitched together at the waters of Merom for to fight against Israel 6 Then the Lord saide vnto Ioshue Be not afraide for them for to morrowe about this time will I deliuer them all slaine before Israel Thou shalt hough their horses burne their charriots wtih fire 7 Then came Ioshue and all the men of warre with him against them by the waters of Merom soudeinly and fell vpon them 8 And the Lord gaue them into the hand of Israel and they smote them and chased them vnto great Sidon and vnto Misrephothmaim and vnto the vallie of Mizpeh Eastwarde and smote them vntill they had none remaining of them 9 And Ioshue did vnto them as the Lorde bade him hee houghed their horses and burnt their charriots with fire 10 At that time also Ioshue turned backe and tooke Hazor and smote the King thereof with the sworde for Hazor before time was the head of all those kingdomes 11 Moreouer they smote all the persons that were therin with the edge of the sworde vtterly destroying all leauing ' none aliue and he burnt Hazor with fire 12 So all the cities of those Kings and all the Kings of them did Ioshue take and smote them with the edge of the sworde and vtterly destroyed them as Moses the seruante of the Lorde had commaunded 13 But Israel burnt none of the cities that stoode still in their strength saue Hazor only that Ioshue burnt 14 And all the spoile of these cities and the cattell the children of Israel tooke for their praie but they smote euerie man with the edge of the sworde vntill they had destroyed them not leauing one aliue 1 When Iabin c. In this new conspiracie also doth shine the louing care of God more than fatherlie in preuenting the daungers of his seruantes and also his mercie and kindenesse in helping their infirmitie If Iabin with his confederates which are nowe mentioned had ioyned with the former Kinges the weight of the warre would haue lien more heauie vppon the Israelites and greater care and doubtfulnesse would haue troubled them Indeed it had bene as easie for God to haue ouerthrowen that huge armie all together and to haue
not make them serue for the warres yet the price of them was not to be despised if they had bene solde But Iosue thought it not good to consider any thing but that which pleased god Now because he had obteined through his vertue that he had the people tractable and obedient that which was performed by all men is reckoned in the praise of one man. 12 All the cities of these Kinges c When the armie was throughly discomfited then they began to waste spoile the contrie to take sacke the cities Where it is said that the cities which remained vntouched were not burned thereof we may gather a likely coniecture that some were taken by force and assault and so destroyed Only Hazor after it was taken the heate appeased was consumed with fire because it was the firebrand to kindle the rest vnto warre Moreouer that which we haue seene before that Iosue refrained not the heate of his wrath vntill he had slaiue all from the greatest to the least it is often and plainely repeated in this place For that which before was not expressed is now plainely set downe that Iosue did faithfully perfourme his duetie because he accomplished that which God by Moses had commaunded Therefore it was euen as much as if he had consecrated his handes vnto God when he destroyed those nations according to his commandement For thus we must take it though all the world condemne vs yet it is sufficient to discharge vs of all crime that we haue God for our authour In the meane time we must wisely consider what euerie mans vocation requireth that no man take vpon him to followe Iosue in the licentiousnesse of his owne zeale least he be iudged a cruel bloudsucker rather than a seuere minister of God. 15 As the Lorde had commaunded Moses his seruant so did Moses commaunde Ioshue and so did Ioshue he left nothing vndone of all that the Lord had commaunded Moses 16 So Ioshue tooke all this land of the mountaines and all the South and all the land of Goshen and the lowe countrie and the plaine and the mountaine of Israel and the lowe countrie of the same 17 From the mount Halak that goeth vp to Seir euen vnto Baal-gad in the vallie of Lebanon vnder mount Hermon and all their Kings he tooke and smote them and slewe them 18 Ioshue made warre long time with all those Kinges 19 Neither was there any citie that made peace with the children of Israel saue those Hiuites that inhabited Gibeon all other they tooke by battell 20 For it came of the Lorde to harden their heartes that they should come against Israel in battell to the intent that they shuld destroy them vtterly and shewe them no mercie but that they should bring them to nought as the Lorde had commaunded Moses 21 And that same season came Ioshue and destroyed the Anakims out of the mountaines as out of Hebron out of Debir out of Anab and out of all the mountaines of Iudah and out of all the mountaines of Israel Ioshue destroyed them vtterly with their cities 22 There was no Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel onely in Azzah in Gath and in Ashdod were they left 23 So Ioshue tooke the whole land according to all that the Lord had said vnto Moses and Ioshue gaue it for an inheritance vnto Israel according to their portions through their tribes then the land was at rest without warre 16 And Iosue tooke c. In the continuall course of these victories when the land of it selfe did spue out the olde inhabitantes to giue place vnto the Israelites it did openly appeare which is said in the Psalme Although they fought valiantly yet they conquered not the land with their swordes nor 〈◊〉 them selues with their owne arme but by the hand and arme and brightnesse of the countenance of God they obteined all thinges For this purpose the places and regions are reckoned vp that we may knowe that God proceeded with a continuall course in that woorke which he began But they are deceiued which thinke a certeine mountaine to be noted by the name of Israel because it will appeare in the end of the Chapter that the hillie part is indifferently called by the name of Israel and Iuda Wherefore the singular number is put for the plurall because the mountaines of the tenne tribes are compared with the mountaines of Iuda Therefore this opposition must be vnderstood In the other hill the name is doubtful some take it for a diuision as though the hill were cutte in two partes other for smooth because it was without trees like as a mans heade becommeth smooth with baldnesse Let the readers take their choise in a matter vncerteine and of small effect 18 Many dayes c. Before within a short time and as it were with a swift course he had conquered fiue kingdomes in the rest there was another respect not through slacknesse or wearinesse or idlenesse but because God did exercise his people diuersly that his manifold grace might appeare more manifestly which for the most part is not esteemed of vs if it shewe it selfe all after one manner Therefore like as before that wonderfull easinesse of victories did set foorth the power of God so this lingering warfare did declare the redie helpe of God by many documentes Neither did it so happen soudenly and vnlooked for for God shewed aforehand by Moses that it should so come to passe least if the lande were streight way made desolate the wilde beastes would increale vpon it Finally we see here as it were in a glasse that whatsoeuer God promised by Moses was performed in deede and plaine effect But with the truth of the promises we must also consider the singular fauour of God toward his chosen people that as a prouident and carefull housholder he neglected or omitted not any thing that might serue for their profit 19 There was no citie which made peace c. At the first sight it is contrarie to this sentence that which is often repeted by Moses that the Israelites should not make any couenant with those nations nor admitte any conditions of peace but vtterly consume and destroy their race â—sâ—ed their name Therefore seeing they were excluded from all couenantes and should haue desired peace in vaine it is against reason that their destruction should be imputed to their owne stubbornesse when they coulde by no entreatie haue obteined pardon For suppose they had sent Embassadours with oliue branches haue desired peace Iosue would streight haue answered that it was not lawfull for him to enter into any treatie with them because God had forbidden him Wherefore if they had assaied an hundred wayes to haue auoyded the warre yet they must needs haue ben destroyed Why are they blamed therefore that they did not desire peace As though they were not constrained of necessitie to fight when they sawe they had to doe with such a
the first verse riseth a question because that after it is said that there were fiue principalities about the Sea coast the Auites are added in the sixt place Some thinke they are not reckoned among the fiue because it was a small prouince But let the readers consider whether there be not a secreat opposition betweene a people that was free and of their owne gouernement and of the fiue principalities Therefore because the state of the Auites was diuerse from the rest they are numbered seuerally And therefore a Nowne plurall is set for distinction sake But as for the rehearsall of these principalities is not made according to the dignitie or wealth of euerie one but Aza occupied the first place because it was next Egypt And the same reson is in Asdod the rest The Grecians after their manner for the Hebrue letter AIN put their GAMMA so they cal that Gaza which the Hebrues call Aza like as of Amorrha they make Gomorrha Wherby their error is sufficiently discouered which faine that Gaza was a Persian name so called of riches because Cambyses when he would make warre in Greece laid vp his treasure there But because in Luke mention is made of the desert of Gazaâ—it appeareth that a citie of the same name was builded neere to it but in another place Asdod is that Citie which the Grecians called Azotus Now all this Sea coast or that which is nigh the Sea is brought a long euen vnto Sidon And there be which thinke that the Phenicians in times past were Lordes both of Gaza and Azotus Nowe farre the mount Libanus extendeth it is well knowne for some time it comprehendeth the mount Hermon And for the length of it one part of it is called Antilibanus Of that mount Hermon the reader shall find Deuteronomie 4. Towarde the East is Hemath which is also called Antiochia of Syria 6 All the inhabitantes of the hill c. Iosue is againe admonished that although the Israelites did not yet possesse those regions yet he shoulde not deferre the partition but trust in the promise of God because men doe maliciously defame his power when they doubt of the end Wherefore it is said Only doe thou thy duetie in distribution of the lande neither let that bee exempted from the lottes which the enimies doe quietly possesse bycause I will haue a care to fulfill that I haue promised Hereof let vs learne in taking affaires in hand so to depend vppon the mouth of God that no doubtfulnesse doe stay vs Indeede it is not our parte to frame vaine hope vnto our selues but when our trust is grounded vppon God onely let vs obey his commandements because it is not to be feared that wee can be deceiued in the successe Afterward he assigneth the land of Chanaan to nine tribes an halfe because the Rubenites Gadites and the halfe tribe of Manasses had their portion geuen them on the other side of Iordan And although there seemeth to be a vaine repetition in these wordes which Moses gaue vnto them as Moses gaue vnto them yet is there nothing super fluous for that in the second member the gift is confirmed as if God ratified that which was done Therfore as Moses gaue theÌ„ that land so let them remaine in quiet possession And for this cause he is adorned with the title of The seruant of God that no man should breke that decree which Gods faithfull minister had published by his authoritie And surely it was needfull to stay all controuersies which otherwise might daily haue arisen 14 Onely to the tribe of Leui c. This exception also was necessarie least the Leuites should complaine that they were vniustly disherited and so might raise great trouble about their right Therefore he admonisheth them that Moses was the authour of this distinction and with all teacheth that they haue no cause to complaine for any thing taken from them because a goodly recompense was geuen vnto them And although the sacrifices were not equally diuided among the Leuites yet it is sufficient that they all had their liuing of the first fruites and tenthes And as God by reward allureâ—h them to take charge of the holy things so likewise he exhorteth the people to performe and pay their holie oblations faithfully when he pronounceth that his sacrifices are their liuing 15 Moses then gaue vnto the tribe of the children of Ruben inheritance according to their families 16 And their coast was from Aroer that is on the brinke of the riuer Arnon and from the citie that is in the middest of the riuer and all the plaine which is by Medeba 17 Heshbon with all the cities thereof that are in the plaine Dibon and Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon 18 And Iahazah and Kedemoth and Mephaath 19 Kiriathaim also and Sibmah Zerethshahar in the mount of Emek 20 And Beth-peor and Ashdoth-pisgah and Beth-ieshimoth 21 And all the cities of the plaine and all the kingdome of Sihon King of the Amorites which reigned in Heshbon whom Moses smote with the Princes of Midian Eui and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba the Dukes of Sihon dwelling in the countrie 22 And Balaam the sonne of Beor the southsayer did the children of Israel slaie with the sworde among them that were slaine 23 And the border of the children of Ruben was Iordan with the coastes this was the inheritance of the children of Ruben according to their families with the cities and their villages 24 Also Moses gaue inheritance vnto the tribe of Gad euen vnto the children of Gad according to their families 25 And their coastes were Iazer and all the cities of Gilead and halfe the land of the children of Ammon vnto Aroer which is before Rabbah 26 And from Heshbon vnto Ramoth Mizpeh and Betonim and from Mahanaim vnto the borders of Debir 27 And in the vallie Beth-aram and Beth-nimrah and Succoth and Zaphon the rest of the kingdome of Sihon King of Heshbon vnto Iordan and the borders euen vnto the Sea coast of Cinereth beyonde Iordan Eastward 28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families with the cities and their villages 29 Also Moses gaue inheritance vnto the halfe tribe of Manasseh and this belonged to the halfe tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families 30 And their border was from Mahanaim euen all Bashan to wit all the kingdome of Og King of Bashan and all the townes of Iair which are in Bashan threescore cities 31 And halfe Gilead and Ashtaroth and Edrei cities of the kingdome of Og in Bashan were geuen vnto the children of Machir the sonne of Manasseh to halfe of the children of Machir after their families 32 These are the heritages which Moses did distribute in the plaine of Moab beyonde Iordan towarde Iericho Eastward 33 But vnto the tribe of Leui Moses gaue none inheritance for the Lorde God of Israel is their inheritance as he saide vnto them 15 Moses gaue c. That
which he seemed to haue spoken clerely enough nowe he prosecuteth more distinctly not onely that the reading thereof might prouoke the people to geue thankes while the benefite of God shal be registred in the publike monumentes and as it were conuersant before their eyes but also that euerie one might enioy their inheritaunce without trouble or strife We knowe how wittie the couetousnesse of men is to inuent pretenses of going to lawe that no mans right might remaine quietly vnto him except a cleere and perfect definition of euerie mans right should take away all controuersies That region was geuen them without lot The rest might haue obiected because euen measure was not kept that inequalitie must be corrected Therefore that no vntimely strife shoulde euer trouble their peace the boundes are set in all places by Gods authoritie and as it were hedged in to cutte away all contentions For God doeth not onely by one worde adiudge the whole kingdome of Sihon to the tribe of Ruben but draweth the vttermost border from Aroer to the riuer Arnon and so in all the compasse doth either restraine them or enlarge them that the possession of one acre should not be in doubt And howe profitable so exact a description was we may knowe by prophane histories where often times we may see not onely hatefull but also hurtfull contentions haue arisen betweene neighbours about their marches Moreouer this diligence which God disdained not to vse to prouide for his people that they might continue in peace one with another doth verily declare his fatherly loue because he omitted nothing that might be profitable for their quietnesse And surely if prouision had not beene made in time they would haue bene consumed by ciuil and intestine contentions Once againe I would haue the readers excuse me if I labour not carefully in describing the situation of the cities am not curious in the names Yea I could well abide that some names shuld be taken appellatiuely and so translated which otherwise I haue thought good to leaue in their owne tongue as proper names This is worthie to be noted that where he speaketh of the land of the Madianites the Princes which ruled there are called the Dukes of Sihon that we may knowe that they were partakers of the same calamitie because they intangled them selues with vniust warre and perteined to the gouernement of Sihon which was a professed enimie And that it may better appeare that they were iustly destroyed Balaam is said to haue bene slaine amongst them by whose tongue they laboured to wound the Israelites more greeuously than with a thousand swordes as if it were saide In the verie slaughter there was found a banner of hostilitie by which they professed that they serued in warre against the Israelites Where it is said in the Hebrue that Iordan was the end the end that the repetition may not seeme to be in vaine we may aptly translate it that Iordan according to his â—oundes was their border 24 Moses gaue to the tribe of Gad c. The same reason is to be obserued in the tribe of Gad that it is hedged in with lawfull boundes that their possessions shoulde not be litigious or subiect to contention In the meane time the liberalitie of God is commended that he draue out nations of great renowme in whose roome he had placed them which is more clearely expressed in the halfe tribe of Manasse while in the portion of their inheritance there are rehearsed three score cities Whereby also it is made manifest that Moses was not deceiued in his liberalitie because God was not ignorant how manie cities according to his bountifull largesse he would geue them In the conclusion the tribe of Leui is againe excluded least the Leuites in time to come should pretende that the land which was graunted to the Gadites and Rubenites the halfe tribe of Manasses without casting of lotts was common to them also because they were by name forbidden to cast lottes with their brethren which they might easily haue expounded subtily for their owne aduantage that their part was left them in the other landes But now the sacrifices are not called their inheritance as a while before they were but God himselfe with whom if they be not content they bewray too greate pride and intollerable disdainefulnesse Chap. 14. THese also are the places whiche the children of Israel inherited in the lande of Chanaan whiche Eleazer the Priest and Ioshue the sonne of Nun and the cheefe fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distributed to them 2 By the lot of their inheritance as the Lorde had commanded by the hande of Moses to geue to the nine tribes and the halfe tribe 3 For Moses had geuen inheritaunce vnto two tribes and an halfe tribe beyonde Iordan but vnto the Leuites he gaue none inheritaunce among them 4 For the children of Ioseph were two tribes Manasseh and Ephraim therefore they gaue no parte vnto the Leuites in the lande saue cities to dwell in with the suburbes of the same for their beastes and their substance 5 As the Lorde had commaunded Moses so the children of Israel did when they diuided the lande 6 Then the children of Iudah came vnto Ioshue in Gilgal and Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh the Kenezite saide vnto him Thou knowest what the Lorde said vnto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea 7 Fourtie yeares olde was I when Moses the seruant of the Lorde sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espie the land and I brought him worde againe as I thought in mine heart 8 But my brethren that went vp with me discouraged the heart of the people yet I followed still the Lorde my God. 9 Wherefore Moses sware the same day saying Certeinly the land whereon thy feete haue troden shall be thine inheritance and thy childrens for euer because thou hast followed constantly the Lorde my God. 10 Therefore beholde now the Lorde hath kept me aliue as he promised this is the fourtie and fift yeare since the Lorde spake this thing vnto Moses while the children of Israel wandered in the wildernesse and now loe I am this day foure score and fiue yeares olde 11 And yet am as strong at this time as I was when Moses sent me as strong as I was then so strong am I now either for warre or for gouernement 12 Now therefore giue me this mountaine whereof the Lord spake in that day for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there and the cities great and walled if so be the Lorde will be with me that I may driue them out as the Lorde saide 13 Then Ioshue blessed him and gaue vnto Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh Hebron for an inheritance 14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh the Kenezite vnto this day because he followed constantly the Lord God of Israel 15 And the name of Hebron was before time Kiriath-arba which Arba was a great
diuided into tenne tribes which number could not stand except they discerned the tribe of Manasse from the tribe of Ephraim Therefore it is certeine that they were not deceiued with so grosse an errour that they would cast two names vppon one lot For it had bene intollerable vnrighteousnesse to bide two tribes vnder the name of Ioseph that they might defraud them of the one halfe of their right Aâ—de herevnto that the portion of either of them was before distinctly described and set foorth with their seuerall boundes Therefore reason leadeth vs rather to this opinion When the lottes were cast vppon two tribes it came to passe by the wonderfull counsell of God that these brethren which had one father should be neighbours and lie both together therefore they doe vniustly find fault that they haue but one inheritaunce geuen them because neither was the negligence of Iosue so gâ—eate nor his minde so malignant that either for lacke of consideration or through enuie he would defraud them of their cleere and manifest right but hereof did arise this false complaint of the scantnesse of their landes because they made none accompte of all that grounde which was yet to be conquered by prowesse of warre as though the lott had placed all the other tribes beside in a peaceable foile And therefore Iosue with one worde doeth confute and discusse all their contention and quareling and turneth vppon their owne heades that crime whereby they assaied to make him to be enuied If ye haue such store of men saith he and so great a multitude why doe you not fall vppon your enimies whose region is geuen vnto you â–ª For if ye doe valiantly enter into the inheritaunce graunted to you by God trusting in his promise the successe shall not deceiue you We see that although they were wel prouided for yet they are blinded with their own slouthfulnes so that they complaine that they are pinned in with streightes because they would not moue their little finger to seeke the effect of their lot to haue larger roome Wherefore this place doeth teach vs if we thinke at any time that lesse is performed vnto vs than ought to be that we must diligently search ouâ— all lettes that we doe not rashly cast vppon others the fault that resteth in our selues 16 To whom they made answere c. It appeareth that they were too much addicted to them selues because they drawe backe as much as they ran that they might not geue place to the reason propounded by Iosue thâ—n the which yet nothing wâ—â— more indâ—â—ferent They obiect that the hill was vnfruitefull and as it was 〈◊〉 deserte so that if any thing were added they should feele small profite thereof As touching the plaine which was well occupied and fruitfull they obiect that they are shut out from it kept out of it through the terrible forces of their enimies Therefore they make mention of yron charriots as though they had neuer tried before that God could easily ouerthrowe as well the charriots as the horsemen But Iosue with a plaine and wise answere doeth well reproue both their couetousnesse and their delicacie slouthfulnesse If the forest saith he at this time be not fruitfull enough thou maist cuâ— downe the trees and make thee goodly feeldes so that if thou woulâ—est not spare thy laboure this dwelling which thou haste woulde serue thy turne well enough And as for yron charriots shall not let but God may performe that which he hath promised The inheritaunce is thine onely enter vppon it with such boldenesse as becommeth thee Chap. 18. AND the whole Congregation of the children of Israel came together at Shiloh for they set vp the Tabernacle of the Congregation there after the lande was subiect vnto them 2 Nowe there remained among the children of Israel seuen tribes to whome they had not diuided their inheritance 3 Therefore Ioshue saide vnto the children of Israel Howe long are ye so slacke to enter and possesse the land which the Lord God of your fathers hath geuen you 4 Giue from among you for euerie tribe three men that I may send them and that they may rise and walke through the land and distribute it according to their inheritance and returne to me 5 And that they may diuide it vnto them into seuen partes Iudah shall abide in his coast at the South and the house of Ioseph shall stand in their coastes at the North. 6 Ye shall describe the land therefore into seuen partes and shall bring them hither to me and I will cast lottes for you here before the Lorde our God. 7 But the Leuites shall haue no part among you for the Priesthoode of the Lord is their inheritance also Gad and Ruben and halfe the tribe of Manasseh haue receiued their inheritance beyond Iordan Eastward which Moses the seruant of the Lorde gaue them 8 Then the men arose and went their way and Ioshue charged them that went to describe the land saying Departe and goe through the land and describe it and returne to me that I may here cast lottes for you before the Lorde in Shiloh 9 So the men departed and passed through the land and described it by cities into seuen partes in a booke and returned to Ioshue into the campe at Shiloh 10 Then Ioshue cast lottes for them in Shiloh before the Lorde and there Ioshue diuided the land vnto the children of Israel according to their portions 1 And all the multitude c. Here is reported that solemne assemblie which was held at Silo where consultation was had for casting of the rest of the lottes For although they beganne to cast lottes of a godlie zeale yet that action was interrupted although the victorie ought to haue gone before the diuision which depended vppon the onely mouth of god Wherefore they come together in Silo to decree what was needfull to be done in time to come And there is no doubt but Iosue called this assemblie that he might shake away from them their slouthfulnesse For they vtter nothing of their owne accorde but he beginneth to chide them that they were slacke and slowe to enter vppon the inheritaunce which God him selfe had geuen them For we may gather by his speach that in the beginning they were full of cheerfulnesse but there followed no perseuerance And yet that obedience was adorned with the commendation of the holy Ghost which soone after vanished away And we must note that the people is reprehended not for that they were negligent in casting of lottes but because they did not possesse the inheritance which was offered to them by god And surely as the casting of lottes was a signe of some faith so that region which fell to euerie one of them was a sure and faithfull pledge of that possession which afterward they should haue for God did not trifle and plaie when he assigned to euerie one their portion The verbe RAPHAH which I haue translated To cease doeth signifie also To be
of other tribes were not so streight but they conteined a greater number of cities than was set foorth before It is well knowen that the tribe of Leuie was the least of them all Therefore what equitie had it bene that it should haue bene enlarged fourefolde more than the tribe of Zabulon which we see had but twelue cities although it was much more populous In the tribe of Isachar are numbered onely sixeteene cities The tribe of Nepthalie nineteene The tribe of Aser twentie two Surely the diuision had bene vnequall if more cities had bene geuen to them that were fewer to dwell in Whereof it is gathered that not only the townes which are rehearsed as the appurtenances of the cities were apte for habitation but that other cities also were comprehended of which there was no mention made Finally by the lot of the tribe of Leui it appeareth plainly how large and how ample the dominion of the other tribes was 43 The Lord gaue c. If any man moue question of the rest the answere is easie that the nations of Chanaan were so terrified and amased with feare that they thought nothing more profitable for them than by slauish flatterie to redeeme peace of the children of Israel Therefore the contrie was throughly subdued and their habitation peaceable seeing that no man did either trouble them or durst enterprise any thing against them seeing there was no threatening no treason no violence or conspiracies But of the second point it is doubted how the children of Israel were placed in the possession of the promised land enioyed it so that not one syllable wanted in the promises of God of the fruition thereof Whereas before we sawe that manie enimies were dispersed amongest them The sentence of God was that not one should remaine aliue yet many they expelled not but admitted them for their neighboures as though they had bene partakers of the inheritaunce with them yea they make couenantes also with them How doe these thinges agree together that God gaue the people the possession of the land as he promised it which yet was excluded from some parte thereof by the force or stubbornesse of their enimies That this shew of coÌ„trarietie may be taken away we must discerne betweene the certeine cleere and stedfast faithfulnesse of God in keeping his promises and the â—â—ouch and negligence of the people whereby it came to passe that the benefite of God did fall away as it were out of their hands What warres so euer the people tooke in hand into what parte so euer they moued their standard the victorie was readie neither was there any other let or stay but that they might roote out all their enimies sauing their owne voluntarie slouthfulnesse Wherefore although they chaced them not away that the possession might be voyded of them yet the manifest trueth of God did appeare and set forth it selfe because it had bene no trouble for them to haue obteined the rest if the had listed to embrace the victories that were offered The summe of all this is that it was through their owne cowardise that they enioyed not the full and perfect benefite of God which we shall see in the next Chapter more plainly Chap. 22. THEN Ioshue called the Rubenites and the Gadites the halfe tribe of Manasseh 2 And said vnto them Ye haue kept all that Moses the seruant of the Lorde commaunded you and haue obeyed my voyce in all that I commanded you 3 Ye haue not forsaken your brethren this long season vnto this day but haue diligently kept the commandement of the Lorde your God. 4 And now the Lorde hath giuen rest vnto your brethren as he promised them therefore now returne ye and goe to your tentes to the land of your possession which Moses the seruant of the Lorde hathe giuen you beyond Iordan 5 But take diligent heede to do the commandement and Law which Moses the seruant of the Lorde commanded you that is that ye loue the Lord your God and walke in all his wayes and keepe his commandements and cleane vnto him and serue him with all your heart and with all your soule 6 So Ioshue blessed them and sent them away and they went vnto their tents 7 Now vnto one halfe of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had giuen apossession in Bashan and vnto the other halfe thereof gaue Ioshue among their brethren on this side Iordan Westwarde therefore when Ioshue sent them away vnto their tentes and blessed them 8 Thus he spake vnto them saying Returne with much riches to your tentes and with a great multitude of cattell with siluer with gold with brasse with yron with great abundance of raiment diuide the spoile of your enimies with your brethren 9 So the children of Ruben and the children of Gad and halfe the tribe of Manasseh returned and departed from the children of Israel from Shiloh which is in the land of Chanaan to goe vnto their countrie of Gilead to the land of the possession which they had obteined according to the worde of the Lorde by the hand of Moses 1 Then Iosue c. Here is reported the discharging of the two tribes an halfe which followed the rest of the people not that they should conquere any thing for them selues but because they had alredie obteined houses and landes without casting of lottes that they might holde out the common warre with their brethren vntill they also had obteined their quiet inheritaunce Now because they haue bene faithfull companions and helpers vnto their brethren Iosue pronounceth that they haue serued out their full time and so sendeth them home discharged and at libertie Yet it may be demaunded howe he iudgeth them to haue accomplished their lawfull time of warrefare when as yet a parte of the lande was possessed by the enimies the onely possession whereof ought to haue made a perfect end of that warre But if we call to minde that which I saied before this knot would be easie to loose If they had followed the calling of God and bene obedient to his power yea if they had not shamefully drawen backe when he reached out his hand to helpe them they might easily without any danger and with small trouble haue dispatched the remnantes of that warre Therefore through their owne slouth fulnesse they refused that which God of his liberalitie was readie to haue geuen them And so it came to passe that the couenaunt was fulfilled whereby the two tribes and the halfe had bound themselues For they bound themselues no otherwise but to accompanie the ten tribes and to fight as manfully for their inheritaunce as they would haue done for their owne Now seeing they haue continually shewed themselues faithfull companions and the ten tribes being content with their present estate doe not require but rather doe secreatly refuse their further aide they are by right permitted to returne freely vnto their owne And their patience is worthie of commendation that they are not
no certeine region appointed vnto vs which might separate vs from them neither are we armed with the sword to kill all the vngodlie only we must beware that too much familiaritie doe not wrappe vs in the fellowshippe of their wickednesse For it is more than a harde matter when we doe willingly intermedle with them to keepe our selues that we be not dashed with some blotte or spotte of their vngodlinesse Because this point is sufficiently handled in other places I doe but breefly touch it here 14 Behold I c. Because it is appointed for all men once to die Iosue sayeth that end draweth neere vnto him which abideth all men because he also was borne a mortall man And these wordes he applieth vnto the comfort of the people least they should vexe them selues with immoderate sorowe when he was taken away from them For there is no doubt but he left a wonderfull desire of him seing the people when their head was taken away was as a headlesse and vnperfect bodie Therefore he admonisheth them that seeing the course of his life is brought euen as it were to the marke or end they must not require that his condition should be other than is of all mankinde But yet he meaneth not that all men die alike because the vncorruptible seede of heauenlie doctrine discerneth and diuideth the faithfull from the vnfaithfull that they perish not together with them but here he doeth onely touch that which is common to all namely when the course of this life is ended to goe out of the worlde Therefore the summe of his speach commeth to this effect As God by his benefites and fulfilling of his promises hath proued him selfe to be true so his threatenings should not be vaine and frustrate that by their vtter destruction he would reuenge the prophanation and defiling of his worshippe Chap. 24. AND Ioshue assembled againe all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called the Elders of Israel and their heades and their Iudges and their officers and they presented them selues before God. 2 Then Ioshue said vnto all the people Thus saith the Lorde God of Israel Your fathers dwelt beyond the floud in olde time euen Terah the father of Abraham and the father of Nachor and serued other gods 3 And I tooke your father Abraham from beyond the floud and brought him through all the land of Chanaan and multiplied his seede and gaue him Izhak 4 And I gaue vnto Izhak Iaakob and Esau and I gaue vnto Esau mount Seir to possesse it but Iaakob his children went downe into Aegypt 5 I sent Moses also and Aaron and I plagued Aegypt and when I had so done among them I brought you out 6 So I brought your fathers out of Aegypt and ye came vnto the Sea and the Aegyptians pursued after your fathers with charriots and horsemen vnto the red Sea. 7 Then they cried vnto the Lorde and he put a darknesse betweene you and the Aegyptians brought the Sea vpon them and couered them so your eyes haue seene what I haue done in Aegypt also ye dwelt in the wildernesse a long season 8 After I brought you into the land of the Amorites which dwelt beyond Iordan and they fought with you but I gaue them into your hand and ye possessed their countrie and I destroyed them out of your sight 9 Also Balak the sonne of Zippor King of Moab arose and warred against Israel and sent to call Balaam the sonne of Beor for to curse you 10 But I would not heare Balaam therefore he blessed you and I deliuered you out of his hand 11 And ye went ouer Iordan and came vnto Iericho and the men of Iericho fought against you the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Chanaanites and the Hittites and the Girgashites the Hiuites and the Iebusites and I deliuered them into your hand 12 And I sent Hornets before you which cast them out before you euen the two Kings of the Amorites and not with thy sworde nor with thy bowe 13 And I haue giuen you a land wherein ye did not labour and cities which ye built not and ye dwell in them eate of the vineyardes and oliue trees which ye planted not 14 Now therefore feare the Lord and serue him in vprightnesse and in trueth and put away the gods which your fathers serued beyond the floud and in Aegypt and serue ye the Lorde 1 So Iosue gathered c. Now in my iudgement he doeth more at large declare these thinges which he touched before more breefly For it is not like that the people were twise for one cause drawen into a straunge place Therfore the order of the historie is knit together by repetition For which cause I translate the Coniunction VAV Therfore which may continue the narration alredie begonne And now he expresseth that which before he spake not of that they all stande before GOD whereby the dignitie and reuerence of that assemblie may seeme to be more holie For there is no doubt but Iosue did call vppon the name of God after a solemne manner and preached vnto the people as it were in his presence that euerie one might consider with him selfe that God was president of that assemblie and that they had not in hande there any priuate affaires but the confirmation of a holie and inuiâ—lable couenant with God him selfe Ande herevnto that which followeth soone after that there was the Sanctuarie Wherfore it is likelie that the Arke of the couenant was brought thither not of intent to chaunge the place but that in so serious an action they might appeare before the iudgment seate of God vppon earth For no religion did forbidde the Arke to be remoued and the place Sichem was not farre distant from thence 2 Beyond the riuer c. He taketh his beginning of their free adoption by which GOD did so preuent them that they could not boaste of any excellencie or merite For God had bound them to him selfe with a streighter bonde that when they were equall with other nations God did notwithstanding choose them vnto him selfe for a peculiar people for no other respecte but onely of his meere good will and fauour Furthermore that it might more clerely appeare that there was nothing wherein they could glorie he bringeth them to their first beginning and putteth them in mind that their fathers did so dwell in Chaldea that they worshipped idols commonly with other men and differed nothing from the common people Whereof it is gathered that when Abraham was drowned in idolatrie he was drawne out of it as it were out of hell The Iewes indeed that they might challenge vnto them selues a counterfeit dignitie of their kinred doe feigne a fable that their father Abraham when he would not acknowledge the fire of Chaldea for a god was driuen to flee out of his countrie But if we consider the purpose of Gods spirit he is no more exempted from the crime of the publike errour than Thare and
himselfe that after he had chased them away he might succeed in their place and that vpon this condition his dwelling was graunted to be in that place which he should conquere by his owne valiantnesse 7 I was fourtie yeres old c. He seemeth to boast of his vertue more gloriously than becommeth a godlie and modest man But we must remember that when the mater of it selfe was odious and subiect to many quarels he hath neede of singular commendation to deliuer him from enuie Wherefore he rehearseth how faithfully he reported that which he knew of the land For this clause Euen as it was in my heart doeth doubtlesse declare sinceritie and so his heart is opposite to deceitfull words For it is a fond interpretation that he said in his heart because he durst say nothing by the way least he should haue bene slaine of his companions For he meaneth nothing else but that without colour and dissimulation he did faithfully execute that which was geuen him in charge he amplifieth the praise of his vpright dealing that when all his companions except Iosue were against him yet he gaue no place to their malice neither was he ouercome with their wicked conspiracie but abode constantly in his purpose The wordes are I fulfilled to goe after god But the sense is cleare that he was not caried away from the faithfulnesse of his duetie by the wicked practising of those ten men which was harde to abide but that he was throughly determined to followe god Namely because he was certeinly persuaded that God was the author of the enterprise from which those vnfaithfull men assaied to withdrawe the people But let vs learne out of this place that except the last ende answeare to the beginninges good beginninges vanish away and come to nothing and secondly that this constancie is onely worthie of praise when we followe God. 9 Then Moses sware c. This was one rewarde of his message well and faithfully discharged to obteine an inheritance whereof all the people is depriued For although long life be worthily accompted among the benefites of God yet the end is here annexed that Caleb might obteine that inheritance which was denied to the rest which was no small prerogatiue Consequently he setteth forth the trueth of Gods promise because he had prolonged his life and not that onely but also had geuen him such vigor and strength that being more than fourescore yeares olde he was no weaker than he was in the floure of his age For other men haue had a lustie age and yet but a fewe neither haue any kept their owne so well that at foure score and fiue yeares of age they haue had as much strength as they had in their best age For he doth not only challenge to himselfe the knowlege valiantnesse of a Capteine but also the strength of a souldier He addeth also that his strength will serue for all actions and exercises of this life For to goe in out doeth signifie as much with the Hebrewes as to performe and execute all partes of our office And Caleb doeth performe this indeede when hee taketh vppon him to assault and driue away the Giantes Neither is he lifted vp with foolishe pride to assure himselfe of victorie but he hopeth for prosperous successe by the helpe of god This worde Peraduenture seemeth to inferre an vnreasonable kind of doubtfulnesse as if he would goe to fight at all aduentures They which thinke that for modestie sake he mistrusteth himselfe and considereth his owne infirmitie doe neither say all nor nothing at all For surely they omitte that which is principall that this worde Peraduenture is to be referred to the common opinion of men such as might be conceiued by the present state of the matter But first it is conuenient to consider his purpose If he had desired such a hill to be geuen him as without any trouble might haue ben possessed his request had bene harder to obteine But now setting foorth the difficultie of the matter before Iosue and the Princes he winneth their fauoure for when they haue yelded to his request yet they graunt nothing except he take in hand atchiue an hard doubtfull and daungerous warre Therefore when he knew that the Israelits did tremble and feare at the fame of the Giantes he speaketh after their opinion as of a matter doubtfull and vncerteine But as touching himselfe the woordes doe plainely declare that he presumed not vppon that which was spoken to him with a doubtfull and wanering minde I will driue them out saith he as the Lord hath pronounced Shall we say that when he bringeth forth a sentence of God that he standeth in doubt whether he will performe or no that which he hath promised Therefore it is manifest that to the intent he might more easily obteine his request he putteth them in minde how full of danger the enterprise was although it is not straunge with the Hebrewes by this worde Simply to note the difficultie and hardnesse of a thing although no distrust at all doeth trouble our mindes But how greate a matter it was to driue away the Giantes out of that strong holde hereof it may be gathered that Caleb durst not sette vppon them vntill after Iosue was dead 13 Blessed him c. He did so pray for him that he did also reioyce with him for it was profitable for example sake that his vertue should be openly commended whereby other men should be stirred vp to ouercome all feares For it was as much as if he had contemned the Giantes and ouerlooked them out of an high place Therefore the blessing of Caleb doeth conteine a praise in it which may serue to exhorte the people In the end of the Chapter it is said that the name of Hebron was Kiriath Arbah Where it is to be noted that the hill it selfe is not to be vnderstood thereby but the cheefe citie there on which is often mentioned in the scripture And it is said that it was so named of a certeine Giant of notable tallnesse whereby their fable is confuted which will haue it to be so called of foure Patriarches that were buried there Thus it appeareth that Caleb was not carefull for his present quietnesse or priuate commoditie when he doeth not sette vppon the place manie yeres after it was geuen him Wherefore it perteined no lesse to the whole people than to one priuate familie that that thing should be geuen for a singular benefite which did as yet hang vppon the incomprehensible grace of God was laied vp in hope alone Also this priuate reward ought to be lesse odious seing the effect thereof could not be confirmed without the wonderfull power of god Yet heere â—riseth a question Seeing Hebron did not only fall to be a portion of the Leuites but also was one of the cities of refuge how this gifte â—â—oode vndefeated If we say that Caleb contenting him selfe with other townes resigned his right to the Leuites the
knot is not yet altogether loosed because he is expresly appointed Lorde of that citie But if we consider that onely a right of dwelling was graunted to the Leuits in those cities there shall be no repugnance In the meane time the modestie of Caleb is worthie of no small praise which in that portion which by extraordinarie priuilege was graunted to him did not refuse to entertaine the Leuites Chap. 15. THis then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Iudah by their families euen to the border of Edom and the wildernesse of Zin Southward on the Southcoast 2 And their Southborder was the salt Sea coast from the point that loketh Southward 3 And it went out on the South-side toward Maaleth-akrabbim and went along to Zin and ascended vp on the Southside vnto Kadesh-barnea and went along to Hezron and went vp to Adar and fet a compasse to Karkaa 4 From thence went it along to Azmon and reached vnto the riuer of Aegypt and the end of that coast was on the West-side this shal be your Southcoast 5 Also the East border shal be the salt Sea vnto the end of Iordan and the border on the North quarter from the point of the Sea and from the end of Iordan 6 And this border goeth vp to Beth-hogla and goeth along by the Northside of Beth-arabah so the border from thence goeth vp to the stone of Bohan the sonne of Ruben 7 Againe this border goeth vp to Debir from the vallie of Achor and Northwarde turning toward Gilgal that lieth before the going vp to Adummim which is on the Southside of the riuer also this border goeth vp to the waters of Enshemesh and endeth at En-rogel 8 Then this border goeth vp to the vallie of the sonne of Hinnom on the Southside of the Iebusites the same is Hierusalem also this border goeth vp to the top of the mountaine that lieth before the vallie of Hinnom Westward which is by the end of the vallie of the Giantes Northward 9 So this border compasseth from the top of the mountaine vnto the fountaine of the water of Nephtoah and goeth out to the cities of mount Ephron and this border draweth to Baalah which is Kiriath-iearim 10 Then this border compasseth from Baalah Westward vnto mount Seir and goeth along vnto the side of mount Iearim which is Chesalon on the Northside so it commeth downe to Beth-shemesh and goeth to Timnah 11 Also this border goeth out vnto the side of Ekron Northward and this border draweth to Shiâ—ron and goeth along to mount Baalah and stretcheth vnto Iabneel and the ends of this coast are to the Sea. 12 And the West border is to the great Sea so this border shal be the bounds of the children of Iudah round about according to their families 13 And vnto Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh did Ioshue giue a parte among the children of Iudah as the Lorde commanded him euen Kiriath-arbah of the father of Anak which is Hebron 1 And the lot c. I haue shewed before that in setting out the situation of the places searching out the reason of their names I would not be curious partly because I confesse that I am not so exercised in the knowlege of Topographie or Chorographie partly because of great laboure bestowed therein small fruite would come to the readers Yea peraduenture the greatest parte of men should take paine without any profite But to the purpose we must note that the lot of the tribe of Iuda doeth not onely fall in a high place that the verie hight of the region might commend the dignitie of the kingdome that should be therein but because the name of that tribe doeth first come forth as a foreshewing of the same matter They beginne to diuide that which was alredie conquered by warre The names of the tenne tribes are cast into a potte Iuda is preferred before all the rest Who seeth not that he is lifted vp into the highest degree that the prophesie of Iacob might be fulfilled Now within these boundes which are here set downe it is well knowen that there were goodly pastures noble and fruitefull vines Thus when the lot doeth answere to the prophesie of Iacob it is manifest that it fell not by chaunce and that the holie Patriarch did pronounce that which was deliuered to him by the spirit of god They that are skilfull of the places may with more pleasure and profite inquire more of them But that the ruder sorte be not greeued to reade vnknowne names let them thinke that it is well worth their laboure if they doe remember that short summe which I haue touched namely that the tribe of Iuda is lifted vp on high that it may be seene alofte aboue the rest vntill the scepter doe arise from thence and secondly that a region fruitfull of vines and pastures is assigned to him moreouer that all the people might acknowledge that his loe fell not by chaunce which was foreshewed three hundred yeres before Furthermore of the large and manifold compasse of the places the vnlearned sorte may easily gather that it was a great prouince which was assigned by lot to that one tribe For although some diminution happened afterward yet they had alwaies the largest dominion And we must remember that which I said that nothing else was declared by the lot but that the border of the sonnes of Iuda ioyned vppon the land of Edom and the sonnes of Sin and that on the other side they bordered vpon the brooke of Egypt and vppon the Midland sea but they that were chosen to be diuiders as their iudgement serued them according to the multitude of men did measure out how great their portion should be did not enlarge their boundes further the same reason they followed in the rest as the neerenesse of the places required Neither did the errour which they committed any thing hinder but that which they decreed remained stedfast For as they were not ashamed in parte to retracte that portion which they had made vnaduisedly so on the other side when the people did see that they handled the matter with all faithfulnesse and vpright dealing they did willingly submit them selues to their decree neither did a particular errour let a generall action from being confirmed ratified It shall not be amisse in one worde to touch the citie of Iebus which afterward was called Hierusalem Although it was alreadie by the secreat counsell of God chosen to be his Sanctuarie and the seate of the kingdome which should be there yet it was possessed of the enimies vntill the time of Dauid For in that they were so long depriued of that place in which was grounded the holinesse excellencie and beautie of all the lande beside therein appeared plainly the curse of God to punish the slouthfulnesse of the people For it was as much as if the cheefe and principall ornament and dignitie of the land were taken away from them But on the other parte did shine