B. C. 1450. smooth. Perhaps this mountain divided the land of Judah from Idumea. (11:17. marg.) V. 14. The Israelites utterly destroyed king Arad and his cities, in the life-time of Moses, and called the name of them Hormah. (Note, Num. 21:1-3.) Probably "the king of Arad," here mentioned, is the same person. As his kingdom was on the southern border of Canaan, and not east of Jordan, it came into the possession of Israel under Joshua; and therefore he is numbered in that division of kings. Yet Hormah is here mentioned as a distinct kingdom from that of Arad; and perhaps there was another place of that name. (Num. 14:45.) V. 24. Every considerable town or city was under the government of a king, who possessed the adjacent fields and villages, and ruled, as it is generally supposed, with despotic sway: and|| though the Canaanites doubtless waged frequent wars, and gained advantages over each other; yet no one had acquired the sovereignty of the whole. -When Julius Cæsar landed in Britain, he found four kings in the single county of Kent: how many then must there have been in the whole Island!A single view of a good map of ancient Canaan will shew the reader all that learned men have conjectured or determined concerning the relative situation of the several places, which are mentioned in this and the following chapters. Dor, in the coast of e 23 The king of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one; 24 The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one. CHAP. XII. What parts of the land were still unsubdued, 1–6, Joshna is directed to divide the whole by lot, 7. The inheritance of the NOW a was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land *to be possessed. b 2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri, f e 3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites: 4 From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites: k 5 And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon toward the sun-rising, from d 11:2. 17:11. e Gen. 14:1,2. Is. 9:1. f See on 4:19. 5:9,10. g 1 Kings 16:23. 2 Kings 15:14. a 14:10. 23:1,2. 24:29. Gen. 18: c Gen. 10:14. 26:1. Joel 3:4. d 11,13. 12:5. 1 Sam. 27:8. 2 And indeed that is the only method of obtaining a clear idea of the subject. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The enjoyment of present blessings should revive the grateful remembrance of former mercies: and the benefit derived from the labors of the liv ing servants of the Lord should remind us to respect the memories of those who have heretofore served Him and their generation. The national covenant, mediated by Moses, engaged many temporal advantages to Israel; but Jesus alone brings the whole multitude of believers to the promised rest and inheritance: and though his true people enjoy many blessings from him in this world; yet they do not enter upon the possession of their complete felicity, till they pass over the Jordan of death to the mansions above.-The vengeance of a righteous God, inflicted upon all these kings and their numerous subjects for their wickedness, should impress our minds with reverential awe of his majesty and purity, and with dread and hatred of sin: while the fruitful land, which he bestowed upon his chosen people, and thus prepared for their reception, should inspire our hearts with humble gratitude, and with hope and confidence in his mercy. In both instances the final event of all things is represented; when the wicked "shall go away into everlasting punishment, • Baal-gad P under mount Hermon, unto | the entering into Hamath. S 6 All the inhabitants of the hill-country, from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians; them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee. 7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 8 With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them: 9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon; 10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon; b 11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah: CHAP. XIII. V. 1-5. Joshua is supposed to have been about one hundred years of age at this time; though not being informed how old he was when Israel left Egypt, we can only conjecture what time passed between that event and his death, at the age of one hundred and ten years. (24:29.) It is probable, however, that he found himself less capable of military services, than he had formerly been. (14:10,11.) A large proportion of the land yet remained in the possession of the ancient inhabitants; and perhaps he supposed, that the division was not to take place till the whole was actually subdued. But the Lord was pleased graciously to remove his anxiety, and to direct his conduct, by commanding him, whilst he was able, and without further delay, to make preparation for dividing the land among those tribes which had not received their inheritance. The whole country, not excepting the parts possessed by the ancient inhabitants, was ordered to be thus allotted to Israel; which tended to remind them of the extent and certainty of the divine promises, and to encourage them to seek the more complete performance of them. It was also a caution, not to enter into any alliance with the remains of the devoted nations: and the leaders of each tribe were thus excited to levy war against those Canaanites, who kept them out of their inheritance.--Sihor was "the river of Egypt," and some think a branch of the Nile; but this is not likely: it was rather some small rivulet just at the entrance of Egypt.-The Philistines were not descended from Canaan, but from Mizraim the son of Ham: (Gen. 10:6,13-20.) yet they were numbered with the Canaanites in this distribution. (Marg. Ref. d. g. m-q.) V. 6. The Israelites had acquired the land by conquest; but they were neither allowed to seize upon what they could, nor to have it all in common, nor to share it out by consent or arbitration; but, with a solemn appeal to God himself, to divide it by casting lots: for Canaan was his land, and Israel was his people. This was likewise the readiest way of satisfying all parties, and preventing discontent and discord; and it most aptly typified the Lord's choosing, in his infinite wisdom and love, the temporal provision and eternal inheritance of his true people.-As every tribe had its inheritance determined by lot; so it is probable, that afterwards the subdivisions to every family and each individual were regulated in the same manner: and thus their estates would descend to posterity, not so much as the inheritance of their fathers, as that which the Lord had immediately assigned them. (Note, Prov. 16:33.) V. 7-13. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Num. 32:29— 42.)-With whom. (8) That is, with the other half tribe of Manasseh. V. 14. The sacrifices made by fire" included all the oblations, of which any portion was burnt on the altar. (33) [659 20 And Beth-peor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth, 21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, in whom Moses smote " with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon dwelling in the country. m 22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the 1 soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword, among them that were slain by them. 23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof. 24 And Moses gave inheritance Punto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad, according to their families: 25 And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and a half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer, that is before Rabbah: Beth-nimrah, and Succoth, and Za phon, the rest of the kingdom of Sikon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth, on the other side Jordan, eastward. 28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad, after their families, the cit ies, and their villages. 29 And Moses gave inheritance unto the half-tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half-tribe of the chil dren of Manasseh by their families. 30 And a their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities; 31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families. 32 These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward. 33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance; the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them. And his sons appear to have entered fully into the disinterested and unambitious spirit of their father; though in no respect distinguished from the rest of the Levites. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Gen. 48:5. Num. 3:1-3. 18:20.) The way in which this subject is uniformly mentioned, implies that the Levites had as good a title to their tithes and perquisites, as their brethren had to their estates. V. 15-20. (Marg. Ref.)—Dibon. (17) Dibon seems to have been situated in the confines of Reuben and Gad, and inhabited by some of each tribe. (Num. 32:34.) The same may perhaps be said of Heshbon. (26. 21:36–39. 1 Chr. 6:80,81.) V. 21, 22. Dukes of Sihon.] (Num. 31:8. Note, Num. 22:4.) These princes of Midian are here called Dukes of Sihon, probably because they had been his tributaries. (Deut. 2:30-37.)--These authenticated records, concerning the boundaries PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. of the inheritances belonging to each tribe, were Old age, gradually and almost insensibly, creeps intended to prevent litigations, or decide differ-upon mankind: and though their infirmities might, ences, in future ages.-Balaam. (22) Notes, Num. 22:5. 31:8. V. 24-28. Marg. Ref. one would think, suffice to remind aged persons of their time of life; yet, they generally need to be put in remembrance of it, and excited to prepare V. 29-32. Num. 32:39-42. Deut. 3:13-17. for approaching dissolution.--"Whatever our band V. 33. As Moses was himself of the tribe of findeth to do," respecting the glory of God, the Levi, he gave a special proof that he acted by salvation of our souls, or the good of our fellowdivine authority, in thus overlooking his own fam- creatures, we should "do it with our might:" and ily and his own tribe: for though the Levites were the expectation of death, as well as the calamities well provided for, yet the security of that provi- of life, should warn us to redeem our time, an sion was so interwoven with Israel's adherence to seize upon present opportunities of usefulness. the worship of God, that, had they universally (Note, Ec. 9:10.) Our season of labor and of serapostatized, the Levites would have been left des- vice will soon expire, and we shall shortly be at titute, whilst all the other tribes would have had rest: we ought not therefore now to indulge sloth, possession of their estates; that is, without some or shrink from hardship; yet if it be the Lord's immediate divine interposition.-Had Moses acted will to lay us aside, we should be willing to leave according to the natural bias of the human mind, our designs unfinished, or to be completed by he would probably have first provided for his own other hands. He knoweth all our infirmities, and tribe; but on the contrary, he expressly appointed will not forsake his servants, when old and incathat they should have no inheritance in Israel. ||pable of work: when however the heart is zealous, 6601 CHAP. XIV. 7 Forty years old was I when Moses The country west of Jordan to be divided by lot, to the nine the servant of the LORD " sent me from tribes and a half, 1-5. Caleb demands Hebron and obtains it, 6-15. Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and AND these are the countries which the brought him word again, as it was in children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. 2 Bylot was their inheritance, as the LORD Commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe. 3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half-tribe on the other side Jordan: d but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. 4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, f save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle, and for their substance. 5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. k 6 T Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal; and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, the Kenezite, said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God, concerning me and thee in m Kadesh-barnea. mine 8 Nevertheless, my brethren that went up with me, made the heart of the people melt: but IP wholly followed the LORD my God. q 9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever; because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. r 10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wil* derness; and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11 As 3 yet I am as strong this day, as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in. t 12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; (for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced:) "if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. 13 And Joshua blessed him, and mics, especially those who have tempted others to wickedness, ought never to be forgotten, and should frequently be mentioned; because they are honorable to him, and profitable subjects for our meditation.--The ministers of the Lord should study to shew, that they are peculiarly indifferent about worldly interests: and the people should take care, that they want nothing suitable to their station; that they may neither be discouraged, nor taken off from serving at the altar. But happy are they, who have the Lord God of Israel for their inheritance, how little soever of this world falls to their share: his providence will supply their temporal necessities; and his ordinances and spiritual consolations will feast their souls, until they arrive at that "fulness of joy, and those pleasures, which are at his right hand for evermore." they who cannot perform one service, will devise NOTES. CHAP. XIV. V. 3-5. (Notes, 13:14-33. 21: Num. 35:2-8.) As the descendants of Joseph formed two tribes, the nation consisted of twelve tribes, according to the number of Jacob's sons, without reckoning the tribe of Levi: and as Joseph was allowed a double portion, Levi was oth V. 6-15. Before the persons, appointed for whole conduct by his commands.-The continuthat service, (Note, Num. 34:16-29.) had begun ance of our lives, notwithstanding internal decays to divide the land by lot, Caleb came to Joshua and diseases, and external perils and injuries, at Gilgal, (where probably the tabernacle and and while numbers are dying around us, ought ark of the Lord still remained,) to require that thankfully to be acknowledged as the Lord's doHebron and the lands adjacent might be assigned ing: and if health and vigor are enjoyed, at that to him; and his brethren of the tribe of Judah time of life which to others is labor and sorrow, attended him, as supporting his claim. It is prob- this demands peculiar gratitude. But old age, able, that when the other spies terrified the peo- even when exempt from infirmity and pain, is ple about the Anakims who dwelt in Hebron, Ca- neither honorable nor comfortable, except it be leb proposed to take that place for his inherit-found in the way of righteousness; for a long life, ance, and to wait for it till the Anakims were spent in increasing guilt, diffusing wretchedness dispossessed: and that by divine direction Moses and wickedness, and “treasuring up wrath against had engaged by oath that it should be so, at the the day of wrath," will prove the occasion of protime when the LORD declared that Joshua and portionably deeper condemnation. But they who Caleb alone should live to enter the promised seek the Lord early and "follow him wholly," land. (Notes, Num. 14:24,27-30.) Caleb there- and stand immoveably firm in times of general fore solicited the performance of this engage- apostasy and prevailing ungodliness, or in seasons ment, and spake of it as well known to Joshua of sharp temptation and imminent danger; if afand all concerned. He likewise took occasion terwards favored with long life, and enabled to to rejoice in the testimony of the Lord, that he spend it in glorifying God and doing good, are the had "followed him wholly;" and in that of his most distinguished and honorable of the human conscience, that he had given "his report, as it species. They may look back upon their lives was in his heart:" and having intimated how past, spent, by the grace of God, in some measthe other spies discouraged the people to their ure usefully; and they may look forward to dissoown destruction, he thankfully mentioned the lution as speedily approaching, with holy conso goodness of God, in keeping him alive for forty- lation. (Notes, 2 Tim. 4:6--8. 2 Pet. 1:12—15.) five years, whilst all that generation were wasted They have a testimony to their characters in the in the wilderness, and amidst all the perils of the hearts of others, and may rejoice in the testimony wars in Canaan; and that he, at eighty-five years of their own consciences. They have much to of age, was as strong, and as capable of war, as be thankful for: and it will become them, and they he had been at forty. All this became one, who will know how, with modesty and humility, to was so eminent a character and venerable for speak of all that God has done for them and by age: being more than twenty years older than them; which will encourage others, and redound any man in Israel, except Joshua and some of the in many thanksgivings to his name. Though "the Levites. It seems from the narration, that the outward man decay," they will feel themselves as Anakims had again possessed themselves of He- strong for their spiritual warfare as ever; and not bron, after it was taken by Joshua, and that Ca- fear by the help of God to drive out every enemy, leb undertook to drive them out. (Note, 11:21- which prevents their possession of the promised 23.) This he was ready to attempt, confiding, inheritance. Such eminent believers sometimes not in his own strength or valor, or in the assist- survive envy, calumny and prejudice; their sun, ance of his brethren, but in the almighty God: which has long been obscured by intervening and, in order to mark this more strongly, though clouds of slanderous reports, groundless jealousit does not appear that he doubted the event, he ies, and rancorous enmity, breaks through and thus expressed his confidence: "If the LORD will shines with bright serenity before it sets. God be with me, then I shall be able to drive them himself blesses them: all around perceive it out."-Joshua and the princes, without hesita- and call them blessed, and concur in shewing tion, consented to his proposal: and "Joshua bless-them distinguishing respect: and great usefulness ed him;" he prayed that he might have success in his intended expedition, and comfort in his inheritance. In the next chapter we read of his driving out the Anakims: (Notes, 15:13-19.) and when the lots were cast, Hebron fell within the portion of Judah, so that he was not separated from his brethren. (15:54.) PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. They who desire to prosper and be comfortable in their undertakings and possessions, must "acknowledge the LORD in all their ways," refer every matter to his decision, and regulate their awaits their latter days, their closing scene, and dying testimony; while they declare to all around them, that the Lord, in performing his promises, has exceeded their largest expectations.--Let then young persons be persuaded to seek the Lord early: let tried and tempted Christians be encouraged to endure and wait patiently; and let those, who meet with opposition, calumny, neglect, or ill success, in their well-meant endeavors to do good, stand their ground stedfastly. Let us all trust in the faithful and merciful promises of God without wavering; and aim so to walk with him, that if we are taken away more early |