THE BOOK OF JOSHUA THE ARGUMENT IT is not material to know who was the penman of this book, whether Joshua, as seems most probable from Josh. 24:26, or some other holy prophet.

After the death of Moses; either immediately after it, or when the days of mourning for Moses were expired. Joshua was appointed and declared Moses’s successor in the government before this time, and therefore doubtless entered upon the government instantly after his death; and here he receives…

This Jordan; this which is now near thee, which is tho only obstacle in thy way to Canaan. Which I do give, i.e. am now about to give the actual possession of it, as I formerly gave a right to it by promise.

Every place, to wit, within the following bounds.

This Lebanon; this emphatically, as being the most eminent mountain in Syria, and the northern border of the land: or this which is within my view; as if the Lord appeared to him in the form of a man, and pointed to it. Of the Hittites, i.e.

As I was with Moses, to assist him against all his enemies, and in all the difficulties of governing this stiff-necked people, which Joshua might justly fear no less than the Canaanites.

Joshua, though a person of great courage and resolution, whereof he had given sufficient proof, yet needs these exhortations, partly because his work was great, and difficult, and long, and in a great measure new; partly because he had a very mean opinion of himself, especially if compared with…

Remember that though thou art the captain and commander of my people, yet thou art my subject, and obliged to observe all my commands. To the right hand or to the left, i.e. in any kind, or upon any pretence.

Shall not depart out of thy mouth, i.e. thou shalt constantly read it, and upon occasion discourse of it, and the sentence which shall come out of thy mouth shall in all things be given according to this rule. Meditate therein, i.e.

Have not I commanded thee; I whom thou art obliged to obey; I who can carry thee through every thing I put thee upon; I of whose faithfulness and almightiness thou hast had large experience?

Prepare you victuals; for although manna was given them to supply their want of ordinary provisions in the wilderness; yet they were allowed, when they had opportunity, to purchase other provisions, and did so, Deut. 2:6, Deut. 2:28.

Remember his charge to you, and your promise to him, which they were obliged to keep; and Joshua was to see that they did so. Rest i.e. a place of rest, as that word signifies: See Poole “Gen. 49:15”.

Ye shall pass, to wit, over Jordan. Before your brethren; either, 1. In their presence. Or, 2. In the front of all of them; which was but reasonable; partly, because they had the advantage of their brethren, having actually received their portion, which their brethren had only in hope, and…

They answered, i.e. the Reubenites, &c., mentioned Josh. 1:12, to whom Joshua’s discourse is confined, Josh. 1:13–15. No doubt the other tribes expressed the same thing; but this is only recorded concerning these, because that might seem most doubtful, and the obedience of the rest was…

The same obedience which we owed, and those of us who are now alive generally performed, to Moses, we promise unto thee. Only the Lord thy God be with thee: this is not a limitation of their obedience, as if they would not obey him any further or longer than he was prosperous or successful; but an…

In all that thou commandest him, not repugnant to God’s commands; for none can be so foolish to think, that if he had commanded the people to blaspheme God, or worship idols, the people were obliged to obey him therein.