Josh. 14 The land and its inheritances to be divided by lot, Josh. 14:1–5. Caleb having on his return from spying the land encouraged the people, Moses then promised him the land of Hebron, which he now claims of Josh. 14:6–12; who grants his request, Josh. 14:13–15.

These, mentioned chapters 14-19. Eleazar the priest. see on Josh. 8:33, Josh. 9:15, Josh. 9:18, Josh. 19:51. He best understood the laws of God, by which this division was to be regulated; and he was to consult God upon any difficult occurrence.

This course God ordained, partly to prevent discontents, enmities, animosities, and quarrels among the tribes about the quality of their several portions; and partly to demonstrate the truth and wisdom of his providence, by which alone those parts fell to each of them, which Jacob long since, and…

Were two tribes, i.e. had the double portion, or the portion of two tribes, 1 Chron. 5:1–2, and therefore though Levi was excluded, there remained nine tribes and a half, was said Josh. 14:2, to be provided for in Canaan.

They, i.e. the persons named Josh. 14:5, who represented and acted in the name of the children of Israel, divided it, either now, or presently after; which is here spoken by anticipation.

Then the children of Judah; either, 1. At that time when Joshua and the rest were consulting about the division of the land, though they did not yet actually and fully divide it. Or, 2.

Forty years old was I: see Poole “Josh. 11:18”. I brought him word again as it was in mine heart; I spake my opinion sincerely, without flattery and fear, when the other spies were biassed by their own fears, and the dread of the people, to speak otherwise than in their consciences they believed,…

Which self-commendation is justifiable, because it was necessary, as being the ground and foundation of his petition.

See Num. 14:24, Deut. 1:36.

These forty and five years, whereof thirty-eight years were spent in the wilderness, and seven since they came into Canaan.

For war; not only for counsel, but for action, for marching and fighting. And therefore this gift will not be cast away upon an unprofitable and unserviceable person. To go out, and to come in; to perform all the duties belonging to my place.

This mountain, i.e. this mountainous country, in which was Hebron, Josh. 11:21, Josh. 20:7, and Debir, and Anab. He names the country rather than the cities, either, 1.

Joshua either, 1. Prayed to God to bless and help him according to his own desire. Or, 2. Acknowledged his praiseworthy carriage in the matter of the spies, and the reasonableness of his request. Or, 3.

A great man, in stature, and strength, and dignity, and authority, as being the progenitor of Anak, the father of those famous giants called Anakims. The land had rest from war; which gave them opportunity for the distribution of the land.