Chapter 2:
| Darby
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| Gill
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| Matthew Henry
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Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Deuteronomy Judges
Joshua 2
Joshua sends spies to Jericho, ver. 1. Rahab receives and
conceals them, ver. 2-7. Her agreement with them for the safety of
herself and family, ver. 8-21. The return of the spies, and the
account given by them, ver. 22-24.
Verse 1. Sent - Or, had sent. Two men - Not twelve, as Moses did,
because those were to view the whole land, these but a small
parcel of it. To spy - That is, to learn the state of the land and
people. It is evident Joshua did not this out of distrust; it is
probable, he had God's command and direction in it for the
encouragement of himself and his army. Secretly - With reference
not to his enemies, that being the practice of all spies, but to the
Israelites; a good caution to prevent the inconveniency which
possibly might have arisen, if their report had been discouraging.
Jericho - That is, the land about Jericho, together with the city.
Hebrew. The land and Jericho, that is, especially Jericho. Harlot's
- So the Hebrew word is used, Judg. xi, 1, and so it is rendered by
two apostles, Heb. xi, 31 James ii, 25, such she either now was, or
rather, had been formerly. Lodged - Or, lay down; as the same
word is rendered, ver. 8, composed themselves to rest; but they
were hindered from that intention.
Verse 2. To night - This evening.
Verse 3. Probably Israel had but one friend in all Jericho: and God
directed them to her! Thus what seems to be most accidental, is
often over-ruled, to serve the great ends of providence. And those
that acknowledge God in their ways, he will guide them with his
eye.
Verse 4. And the woman - Or, But the woman had taken - and had hid
them, before the messengers came from the king; as soon as she
understood from her neighbours, that there was a suspicion of the
matter, and guessed that search would be made. And this is justly
mentioned as a great and generous act of faith, Heb. xi, 31, for she
apparently ventured her life upon a steadfast persuasion of the
truth of God's word and promise given to the Israelites. Whence
they were - Her answer contained in these and the following
words, was false, and therefore unquestionably sinful; tho' her
intention was good therein. But it is very probable, she being an
Heathen, might think, that an officious lie is not unlawful.
Verse 6. Roof - Which was flat after their manner. Upon the roof - That
they might be dried by the heat of the sun.
Verse 7. Fords - Or passages, that is, the places where people used to
pass over Jordan, whether by boats or bridges. The gate - Of the
city, to prevent the escape of the spies, if peradventure Rahab was
mistaken, and they yet lurked therein.
Verse 8. Laid down - To sleep as they intended.
Verse 9. Your terror - That is, the dread of you.
Verse 11. Melted - That is, were dissolved, lost all courage.
Verse 12. By the Lord - By your God who is the only true God: so she
owns his worship, one eminent act whereof is swearing by his
name. My father's house - My near kindred, which she
particularly names, ver. 13, husband and children it seems she had
none. And for herself, it was needless to speak, it being a plain
and undeniable duty to save their preserver. True token - Either an
assurance that you will preserve me and mine from the common
ruin: or a token which I may produce as a witness of this
agreement, and a means of my security. This is all that she asks.
But God did for her more than she could ask or think. She was
afterwards advanced to be a princess in Israel, the wife of Salmon
and one of the ancestors of Christ.
Verse 13. All that they have - That is, their children, as appears from
chap. vi, 23.
Verse 14. For yours - We will venture our lives for the security of yours.
Our business - That is, this agreement of ours, and the condition
of it, lest others under this pretense, should secure themselves. By
which they shew both their piety and prudence in managing their
oath with so much circumspection, that neither their own
consciences might be ensnared, nor the publick justice obstructed.
Verse 15. Town-wall - Which gave her the opportunity of dismissing
them when the gates were shut. Upon the wall - Her particular
dwelling was there: which may possibly be added, because the
other part of her house was reserved for the entertainment of
strangers.
Verse 16. The mountain - That is, to some of the mountains wherewith
Jericho was encompassed, in which also there were many caves
where they might lurk. Three days - Not three whole days, but one
whole day, and part of two days.
Verse 17. Said - Or, had said; namely, before she let them down; it being
very improbable, either that she would dismiss them before the
condition was agreed on; or that she would discourse with them,
or they with her, about such secret and weighty things after they
were let down, when others might overhear them. Blameless -
That is, free from guilt or reproach if it be violated, namely, if the
following condition be not observed.
Verse 18. Into the land - That is, over Jordan, and near the city. This line
of scarlet - Probably the same with which she was about to let
them down. Window - That it may be easily discerned by our
soldiers.
Verse 19. Upon his head - The blame of his death shall rest wholly upon
himself, as being occasioned by his own neglect of the means of
safety. Our head - We are willing to bear the sin, and shame, and
punishment of it. Be upon him - So as to kill him.
Verse 21. In the window - Forthwith, partly that the spies might see it
hung out before their departure, and so the better know it at some
distance; partly lest some accident might occasion a neglect about
it.
Verse 22. Three days - Supporting themselves there with the provisions,
which Rahab had furnished them with. The ways - That is, in the
road to Jordan, and the places near it, but not in the mountains.
Verse 23. Passed over - Jordan unto Joshua.
Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Deuteronomy Judges
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
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