Commentari biblici

And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard [those things], that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

When Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things. — In policy he should have done this sooner, before the five southern kings had been destroyed. But Jabin was an Epimetheus, a postmaster, wise after the fact; and sped accordingly. God’s holy hand was in it also, that his people might not be over matched or disheartened. Our temptations are in like sort disposed of by Christ, the great Aγωνοθετης .

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And to the kings that [were] on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,

South of Cinneroth. — Afterwards called the lake of Gennesareth, Luke 5:1 and the Sea of Galilee or Tiberias. John 6:1

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[And to] the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and [to] the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and [to] the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

In the land of Mizpeh. — Not that Mizpeh of Judah, Joshua 15:38 nor that of Benjamin, Joshua 18:26 nor Mizpeh of Moab; 1 Samuel 22:3 but that of Gilead, mentioned in Genesis 31:49 Judges 10:3 .

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And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that [is] upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

They and all their hosts. — These were, as one said of Carthage, half destroyed, Morientium ferarum ultimi nixus, et violentiores morsus, the last spruntings and bitings of these dying beasts.

And chariots very many. — Chariots armed with scythes and hooks: concerning which Vegetius saith, that at first they were a terror, and afterwards a scorn.

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And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

And when all these kings were met together. — Heb., Assembled by appointment, at a set time. Ducunt volentes fata, nolentes trahunt. See Psalms 37:12-13 .

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And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

Be not afraid because of them. — Though many, and mighty, and malicious, and combined. Joshua had his fears and frailties; else what needed this encouragement? Si modo victor eras, ad crastina bella pavebas.

I will deliver them. — I am for thee; and how many reckonest thou me at? I am God Almighty; fear not therefore their horses and chariots: I will make thee master of them all.

Thou shalt hough their horses. — And thereby make them unserviceable; that ye may trust in mine aid alone.

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So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

By the waters of Merom suddenly. — Like a lightbolt. Bajazet, for like cause, was surnamed Gilderun, or lightning: and of two brave Romans Lucan saith that they were

“ duo fulmina belli. ”

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And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

Who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon. — The mother city of Phoenicia: yea, various fled to Africa and there settled, as is gathered by a pillar mentioned by Procopius with this inscription, We are Phoenicians flying from the face of Jesus the son of Nave; as also by the harmony of the Punic dialect with the Hebrew: witness Plautus’s gibberish in "Paenulo," and various words in Augustine.

Misrephothmaim. — Or, Hot waters, where they boiled salt, or made glass, or bathed.

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