Joshua 8

Joshua 8:2

AN ambush] For in a just war it is as lawfull to get victory by policies and stratagems as by open fight; the which God, the author of justice, hath confirmed by many examples.

behinde it] 1: e. On the west side, as 5: 9.

Joshua 8:4

lie in wait] God would not destroy Ai by miracle, as Jericho, to the end that the nations might fear the power and policy of his people.

Joshua 8:7

Then] That is, when the signe is given: of which ver. 8.

Joshua 8:8

I have commanded] That is, fear not to execute the designe, seeing you have my command for your warrant. So 2 Samuel 13:28.

Joshua 8:9

among the people] 1: e. With the rest of the army.

Joshua 8:10

numbred] 1: e. Mustered and set in order the people.

Joshua 8:12

five thousand] To wit, besides the other thirty thousand, 5: 3. to lie in ambush in another place, to make the execution surer and easier.

Joshua 8:13

set the people] That is, marshalled them in order.

went that night] 1: e. Drew neerer unto the city with the body of his army.

into the midst of the valley] Which was between the city and his army, 5: 11.

Joshua 8:14

when the king of Ai sw it] Namely, that the Israelites had placed their army in a place of disadvantage, to wit, in a low valley, he made haste to lay hold on this opportunity.

all his people] That is, the greatest part, fit for this service, for that some remained in the city appeareth 5: 16.

plain] Which was on the east part of the city.

Joshua 8:15

wildernesse] To wit, between Ai and Jericho, as fleeing to Jericho, from whence they came, to secure them from imminent danger.

Joshua 8:17

not a man] 1: fit for war. See 5: 24.

Joshua 8:18

out the spear] Which was the signall to be given to those that lay in ambush, that they should enter and surprise the city; and to those that fled, that they should turn face against the enemy.

Joshua 8:19

set the city on fire] Not the whole city, for then they could not have had the spoil which was given them, 5: 1. but so much of it as might be a signall to the army, by the smoke ascending when they should return from their counterfeit flight, and set upon the enemy.

Joshua 8:20

this way] Being enclosed between them that had lyen in ambush and the main battell.

Joshua 8:24

smote it] All that remained in the city, as old and impotent men, women and children.

Joshua 8:26

drew not his hand back] Which was the signe when they should make their retreat, and cease wasting the city.

Joshua 8:28

for ever] 1: e. for a long time, as this phrase sometimes signifieth; for Ai was afterwards rebuilt, and inhabited by the Benjamites, Nehem. 11. 31.

Joshua 8:29

his carcase down] According to the Law, Deut. 21. 22, 23. So Joshua 10:26.

a great heap] See Chap. 7. 26.

Joshua 8:30

mount Ebal] Which lay by Sichem; as it is Judg. 9. 6.

Joshua 8:31

over which no man] Namely, to smooth and polish it with tools of the artificer, Ex. 27. 25. Deuteronomy 27:5.

Joshua 8:32

the stones] 1: e. Other stones then those mentioned, 5: 31.

a copy of the law] 1: The sum of the law, or the decalogue; or, as some conceive, the blessings and the curses.

Joshua 8:33

Gerizim] Both these hils, Gerizim and Ebal, lay in the tribe of Ephraim, neer Sichem. See Deut. 11. 29, 30. and 27. 12, 13. Judg. 9. 7.

blesse the people]ie. pronounce the blessings and cursings opposite unto them, Deuteronomy 27:12-13.

Joshua 8:35

which Joshua read not] 1: e. Caused to be read by one of the Levites, as Moses had commanded, Deuteronomy 27:14.

strangers] 1: e. The profelytes which had received and professed the Israelites religion. See 5: 33.