mh_parser/vol_split/6 - Joshua/Chapter 14.xml

<div2 id="Jos.xv" n="xv" next="Jos.xvi" prev="Jos.xiv" progress="6.89%" title="Chapter XIV">
<h2 id="Jos.xv-p0.1">J O S H U A</h2>
<h3 id="Jos.xv-p0.2">CHAP. XIV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jos.xv-p1">Here is, I. The general method that was taken in
dividing the land, <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14.1-Josh.14.5" parsed="|Josh|14|1|14|5" passage="Jos 14:1-5">ver.
1-5</scripRef>. II. The demand Caleb made of Hebron, as his by
promise, and therefore not to be put into the lot with the rest,
<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14.6-Josh.14.12" parsed="|Josh|14|6|14|12" passage="Jos 14:6-12">ver. 6-12</scripRef>. And Joshua's
grant of that demand, <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14.13-Josh.14.15" parsed="|Josh|14|13|14|15" passage="Jos 14:13-15">ver.
13-15</scripRef>. This was done at Gilgal, which was as yet their
head-quarters.</p>
<scripCom id="Jos.xv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14" parsed="|Josh|14|0|0|0" passage="Jos 14" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jos.xv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14.1-Josh.14.5" parsed="|Josh|14|1|14|5" passage="Jos 14:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.14.1-Josh.14.5">
<h4 id="Jos.xv-p1.6">The Distribution of Canaan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xv-p2">1 And these <i>are the countries</i> which the
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 By lot <i>was</i> their inheritance,
as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p2.1">Lord</span> commanded by the hand of
Moses, for the nine tribes, and <i>for</i> the half tribe.   3
For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and a half tribe
on the other side Jordan: 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, save cities to dwell <i>in,</i> with their
suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.   5 As the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p2.2">Lord</span> commanded Moses, so the
children of Israel did, and they divided the land.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p3">The historian, having in the foregoing
chapter given an account of the disposal of the countries on the
other side Jordan, now comes to tell us what they did with the
countries in the land of Canaan. They were not conquered to be left
desert, <i>a habitation for dragons, and a court for owls,</i>
<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.34.13" parsed="|Isa|34|13|0|0" passage="Isa 34:13">Isa. xxxiv. 13</scripRef>. No, the
Israelites that had hitherto been closely encamped in a body, and
the greatest part of them such as never knew any other way of
living, must now disperse themselves to replenish these new
conquests. It is said of the earth, <i>God created it not in vain;
he formed it to be inhabited,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.45.18" parsed="|Isa|45|18|0|0" passage="Isa 45:18">Isa. xlv. 18</scripRef>. Canaan would have been subdued
in vain if it had not been inhabited. Yet every man might not go
and settle where he pleased, but as there seems to have been in the
days of Peleg an orderly and regular division of the habitable
earth among the sons of Noah (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.10.25 Bible:Gen.10.32" parsed="|Gen|10|25|0|0;|Gen|10|32|0|0" passage="Ge 10:25,32">Gen.
x. 25, 32</scripRef>), so there was now such a division of the land
of Canaan among the sons of Jacob. God had given Moses directions
how this distribution should be made, and those directions are here
punctually observed. See <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.26.53-Num.26.56" parsed="|Num|26|53|26|56" passage="Nu 26:53-56">Num. xxvi.
53</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p4">I. The managers of this great affair were
Joshua the chief magistrate, Eleazar the chief priest, and ten
princes, one of each of the tribes that were now to have their
inheritance, whom God himself had nominated (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.34.17-Num.34.29" parsed="|Num|34|17|34|29" passage="Nu 34:17-29">Num. xxxiv. 17</scripRef>, &amp;c.) some years
before; and, it should seem, they were all now in being, and
attended this service, that every tribe, having a representative of
its own, might be satisfied that there was fair dealing, and might
the more contentedly sit down by its lot.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p5">II. The tribes among whom this dividend was
to be made were nine and a half. 1. Not the two and a half that
were already seated (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.3" parsed="|Josh|13|3|0|0" passage="Jos 13:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), though perhaps now that they saw what a good land
Canaan was, and how effectually it was subdued, they might some of
them repent their choice, and wish they had now been to have their
lot with their brethren, upon which condition they would gladly
have given up what they had on the other side Jordan; but it could
not be admitted: they had made their election without power of
revocation, and so must their doom be; they themselves have decided
it, and they must adhere to their choice. 2. Not the tribe of Levi;
this was to be otherwise provided for. God had distinguished them
from, and dignified them above, the other tribes, and they must not
now mingle themselves with them, nor cast in their lot among them,
for this would entangle them in the affairs of this life, which
would not consist with a due attendance on their sacred function.
But, 3. Joseph made two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, pursuant to
Jacob's adoption of Joseph's two sons, and so the number of the
tribes was kept up to twelve, though Levi was taken out, which is
intimated here (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.4" parsed="|Josh|13|4|0|0" passage="Jos 13:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): <i>The children of Joseph were two tribes, therefore
they gave no part to Levi,</i> they being twelve without them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p6">III. The rule by which they went was the
lot, <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.2" parsed="|Josh|13|2|0|0" passage="Jos 13:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. <i>The
disposal</i> of that is <i>of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.16.33" parsed="|Prov|16|33|0|0" passage="Pr 16:33">Prov. xvi. 33</scripRef>. It was here used in an affair
of weight, and which could not otherwise be accommodated to
universal satisfaction, and it was used in a solemn religious
manner as an appeal to God, by consent of parties. In dividing by
lot, 1. They referred themselves to God, and to his wisdom and
sovereignty, believing him fitter to determine for them than they
for themselves. <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.47.4" parsed="|Ps|47|4|0|0" passage="Ps 47:4">Ps. xlvii.
4</scripRef>, <i>He shall choose our inheritance for us.</i> 2.
They professed a willingness to abide by the determination of it;
for every man must take what is his lot, and make the best of it.
In allusion to this we are said to <i>obtain an inheritance in
Christ</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.11" parsed="|Eph|1|11|0|0" passage="Eph 1:11">Eph. i. 11</scripRef>),
<b><i>eklerothemen</i></b>—<i>we have obtained it by lot,</i> so
the word signified; for it is obtained by a divine designation.
Christ, our Joshua, gives eternal life to <i>as many as were given
him,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:John.17.2" parsed="|John|17|2|0|0" passage="Joh 17:2">John xvii. 2</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.xv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14.6-Josh.14.15" parsed="|Josh|14|6|14|15" passage="Jos 14:6-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.14.6-Josh.14.15">
<h4 id="Jos.xv-p6.7">Caleb's Request. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p6.8">b. c.</span> 1444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xv-p7">6 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.1">Lord</span>
said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in
Kadeshbarnea.   7 Forty years old <i>was</i> I when Moses the
servant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.2">Lord</span> sent me from
Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as
<i>it was</i> in mine heart.   8 Nevertheless my brethren that
went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly
followed the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.3">Lord</span> my God.   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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.4">Lord</span> my God.   10 And now, behold, the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.5">Lord</span> hath kept me alive, as he said,
these forty and five years, even since the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.6">Lord</span> spake this word unto Moses, while <i>the
children of</i> Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I
<i>am</i> this day fourscore and five years old.   11 As yet I
<i>am as</i> strong this day as <i>I was</i> in the day that Moses
sent me: as my strength <i>was</i> then, even so <i>is</i> my
strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.   12
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.7">Lord</span> spake in that day; for thou heardest in
that day how the Anakims <i>were</i> there, and <i>that</i> the
cities <i>were</i> great <i>and</i> fenced: if so be the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.8">Lord</span> <i>will be</i> with me, then I shall
be able to drive them out, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.9">Lord</span> said.   13 And Joshua blessed him, and
gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
  14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son
of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly
followed the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xv-p7.10">Lord</span> God of Israel.
  15 And the name of Hebron before <i>was</i> Kirjatharba;
<i>which Arba was</i> a great man among the Anakims. And the land
had rest from war.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p8">Before the lot was cast into the lap for
the determining of the portions of the respective tribes, the
particular portion of Caleb was assigned to him. He was now, except
Joshua, not only the oldest man in all Israel, but was twenty years
older than any of them, for all that were above twenty years old
when he was forty were dead in the wilderness; it was fit therefore
that this phoenix of his age should have some particular marks of
honour put upon him in the dividing of the land. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p9">I. Caleb here presents his petition, or
rather makes his demand, to have Hebron given him for a possession
(<i>this mountain</i> he calls it, <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.12" parsed="|Josh|13|12|0|0" passage="Jos 13:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), and not to have that put into
the lot with the other parts of the country. To justify his demand,
he shows that God had long since, by Moses, promised him <i>that
very mountain;</i> so that God's mind being already made known in
this matter it would be a vain and needless thing to consult it any
further by casting lots, by which we are to appeal to God in those
cases only which cannot otherwise be decided, not in those which,
like this, are already determined. Caleb is here called the
<i>Kenezite,</i> some think from some remarkable victory obtained
by him over the Kenezites, as the Romans gave their great generals
titles from the countries they conquered, as Africanus, Germanicus,
&amp;c. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p10">1. To enforce his petition, (1.) He brings
the children of Judah, that is, the heads and great men of that
tribe, along with him, to present it, who were willing thus to pay
their respects to that ornament of their tribe, and to testify
their consent that he should be provided for by himself, and that
they would not take it as any reflection upon the rest of this
tribe. Caleb was the person whom God had chosen out of that tribe
to be employed in dividing the land (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.34.19" parsed="|Num|34|19|0|0" passage="Nu 34:19">Num. xxxiv. 19</scripRef>), and therefore, lest he
should seem to improve his authority as a commissioner for his own
private advantage and satisfaction, he brings his brethren along
with him, and waiving his own power, seems rather to rely upon
their interest. (2.) He appeals to Joshua himself concerning the
truth of the allegations upon which he grounded his petition:
<i>Thou knowest the thing,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.6" parsed="|Josh|13|6|0|0" passage="Jos 13:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. (3.) He makes a very honourable
mention of Moses, which he knew would not be at all unpleasing to
Joshua: Moses the <i>man of God</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.6" parsed="|Josh|13|6|0|0" passage="Jos 13:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), and the <i>servant of the
Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.7" parsed="|Josh|13|7|0|0" passage="Jos 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. What
Moses said he took as from God himself, because Moses was his mouth
and his agent, and therefore he had reason both to desire and
expect that it should be made good. What can be more earnestly
desired than the tokens of God's favour? And what more confidently
expected than the grants of his promise?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p11">2. In his petition he sets forth,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p12">(1.) The testimony of his conscience
concerning his integrity in the management of that great affair on
which it proved the fare of Israel turned, the spying out of the
land. Caleb was one of the twelve that were sent out on that errand
(<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.7" parsed="|Josh|13|7|0|0" passage="Jos 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), and he now
reflected upon it with comfort, and mentioned it, not in pride, but
as that which, being the consideration of the grant, was necessary
to be inserted in the plea, [1.] That he made his report as it was
in his heart, that is, he spoke as he thought when he spoke so
honourably of the land of Canaan, so confidently of the power of
God to put them in possession of it, and so contemptibly of the
opposition that the Canaanites, even the Anakim themselves, could
make against them, as we find he did, <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.13.30 Bible:Num.14.7-Num.14.9" parsed="|Num|13|30|0|0;|Num|14|7|14|9" passage="Nu 13:30,14:7-9">Num. xiii. 30; xiv. 7-9</scripRef>. He did not do
it merely to please Moses, or to keep the people quiet, much less
from a spirit of contradiction to his fellows, but from a full
conviction of the truth of what he said and a firm belief of the
divine promise. [2.] That herein he <i>wholly followed the Lord his
God,</i> that is, he kept close to his duty, and sincerely aimed at
the glory of God in it. He conformed himself to the divine will
with an eye to the divine favour. He had obtained this testimony
from God himself (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.24" parsed="|Num|14|24|0|0" passage="Nu 14:24">Num. xiv.
24</scripRef>), and therefore it was not vain-glory in him to speak
of it, any more than it is for those who have <i>God's Spirit
witnessing with their spirits</i> that they are the children of God
humbly and thankfully to tell others for their encouragement what
God has done for their souls. Note, Those that follow God fully
when they are young shall have both the credit and comfort of it
when they are old, and the reward of it for ever in the heavenly
Canaan. [3.] That he did this when all his brethren and companions
in that service, except Joshua, did otherwise. They <i>made the
heart of the people melt</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.8" parsed="|Josh|13|8|0|0" passage="Jos 13:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and how pernicious the
consequences of it were was very well known. It adds much to the
praise of following God if we adhere to him when others desert and
decline from him. Caleb needed not to mention particularly Joshua's
conduct in this matter; it was sufficiently known, and he would not
seem to flatter him; it was enough to say (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.6" parsed="|Josh|13|6|0|0" passage="Jos 13:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), <i>Thou knowest what the Lord
spoke concerning me and thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p13">(2.) The experience he had had of God's
goodness to him ever since to this day. Though he had wandered with
the rest in the wilderness, and had been kept thirty-eight years
out of Canaan as they were, for that sin which he was so far from
having a hand in that he had done his utmost to prevent it, yet,
instead of complaining of this, he mentioned, to the glory of God,
his mercy to him in two things:—[1.] That he was kept alive in
the wilderness, not only notwithstanding the common perils and
fatigues of that tedious march, but though all that generation of
Israelites, except himself and Joshua, were one way or other cut
off by death. With what a grateful sense of God's goodness to him
does he speak it! (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.10" parsed="|Josh|13|10|0|0" passage="Jos 13:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>). <i>Now behold</i> (behold and wonder) <i>the Lord
hath kept me alive these forty and five years,</i> thirty-eight
years in the wilderness, through the plagues of the desert, and
seven years in Canaan through the perils of war! Note,
<i>First,</i> While we live, it is God that keeps us alive; by his
power he protects us from death, and by his bounty supplies us
continually with the supports and comforts of life. He <i>holdeth
our soul in life. Secondly,</i> The longer we live the more
sensible we should be of God's goodness to us in keeping us alive,
his care in prolonging our frail lives, his patience in prolonging
our forfeited lives. Has he kept me alive these forty-five years?
Is it about that time of life with us? Or is it more? Or is it
less? We have reason to say, <i>It is of the Lord's mercies that we
are not consumed.</i> How much are we indebted to the favour of
God, and what shall we render? Let the life thus kept by the
providence of God be devoted to his praise. <i>Thirdly,</i> The
death of many others round about us should make us the more
thankful to God for sparing us and keeping us alive. Thousands
falling on our right hand and our left and yet ourselves spared.
These distinguishing favours impose on us strong obligations to
singular obedience. [2.] That he was fit for business, now that he
was in Canaan. Though eighty-five years old, yet as hearty and
lively as when he was forty (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.11" parsed="|Josh|13|11|0|0" passage="Jos 13:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>As my strength was then,
so is it now.</i> This was the fruit of the promise, and out-did
what was said; for God not only gives what he promises, but he
gives more: life by promise shall be life, and health, and
strength, and all that which will make the promised life a blessing
and comfort. Moses had said in his prayer (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.90.10" parsed="|Ps|90|10|0|0" passage="Ps 90:10">Ps. xc. 10</scripRef>) that at <i>eighty years old</i>
even their <i>strength is labour and sorrow,</i> and so it is most
commonly. But Caleb was an exception to the rule; his strength at
eighty-five was ease and joy: this he got by <i>following the Lord
fully.</i> Caleb here takes notice of this to the glory of God, and
as an excuse for his asking a portion which he must fetch out of
the giants' hands. Let not Joshua tell him he <i>knew not what he
asked;</i> could he get the possession of that which he begged for
a title to? "Yes," says he, "why not? I am as fit for war now as
ever I was."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p14">(3.) The promise Moses had made him in
God's name that he should have <i>this mountain,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.9" parsed="|Josh|13|9|0|0" passage="Jos 13:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. This promise is his
chief plea, and that on which he relies. As we find it (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.24" parsed="|Num|14|24|0|0" passage="Nu 14:24">Num. xiv. 24</scripRef>) it is general, <i>him
will I bring into the land whereunto he went, and his seed shall
possess it;</i> but it seems it was more particular, and Joshua
knew it; both sides understood this mountain for which Caleb was
now a suitor to be intended. This was the place from which, more
than any other, the spies took their report, for here they met with
the sons of Anak (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.13.22" parsed="|Num|13|22|0|0" passage="Nu 13:22">Num. xiii.
22</scripRef>), the sight of whom made such an impression upon
them, <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.3" parsed="|Josh|13|3|0|0" passage="Jos 13:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. We may
suppose that Caleb, observing what stress they laid upon the
difficulty of conquering Hebron, a city garrisoned by the giants,
and how thence they inferred that the conquest of the whole land
was utterly impracticable, in opposition to their suggestions, and
to convince the people that he spoke as he thought, bravely desired
to have that city which they called <i>invincible</i> assigned to
himself for his own portion: "I will undertake to deal with that,
and, if I cannot get it for my inheritance, I will be without."
"Well," said Moses, "it shall be thy own then, win it and wear it."
Such a noble heroic spirit Caleb had, and so desirous was he to
inspire his brethren with it, that he chose this place only because
it was the most difficult to be conquered. And, to show that his
soul did not decay any more than his body, now forty-five years
after he adheres to his choice and is still of the same mind.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p15">(4.) The hopes he had of being master of
it, though the sons of Anak were in possession of it (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.12" parsed="|Josh|13|12|0|0" passage="Jos 13:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>): <i>If the Lord will
be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out.</i> The city of
Hebron Joshua had already reduced (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.10.37" parsed="|Josh|10|37|0|0" passage="Jos 10:37"><i>ch.</i> x. 37</scripRef>), but the mountain which
belonged to it, and which was inhabited by the sons of Anak, was
yet unconquered; for though the cutting off of the Anakim from
Hebron was mentioned <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.11.21" parsed="|Josh|11|21|0|0" passage="Jos 11:21"><i>ch.</i> xi.
21</scripRef>, because the historian would relate all the military
actions together, yet it seems it was not conquered till after they
had begun to divide the land. Observe, He builds his hopes of
driving out the sons of Anak upon the presence of God with him. He
does not say, "Because I am now as strong for war as I was at
forty, therefore I shall drive them out," depending upon his
personal valour; nor does he depend upon his interest in the
warlike tribe of Judah, who attended him now in making this
address, and no doubt would assist him; nor does he court Joshua's
aid, or put it upon that, "If thou wilt be with me I shall gain my
point." But, <i>If the Lord will be with me.</i> Here, [1.] He
seems to speak doubtfully of God's being with him, not from any
distrust of his goodness or faithfulness. He had spoken without the
least hesitation of God's presence with Israel in general
(<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.9" parsed="|Num|14|9|0|0" passage="Nu 14:9">Num. xiv. 9</scripRef>); <i>the Lord
is with us.</i> But for himself, from a humble sense of his own
unworthiness of such a favour, he chooses to express himself thus,
<i>If the Lord will be with me.</i> The Chaldee paraphrase reads
it, <i>If the Word of the Lord be my helper,</i> that Word which is
God, and in the fulness of time was made flesh, and is the captain
of our salvation. [2.] But he expresses without the least doubt his
assurance that if God were with him he should be able to dispossess
the sons of Anak. "If God be with us, <i>If God be for us, who can
be against us,</i> so as to prevail?" It is also intimated that if
God were not with him, though all the forces of Israel should come
in to his assistance, he should not be able to gain his point.
Whatever we undertake, God's favourable presence with us is all in
all to our success; this therefore we must earnestly pray for, and
carefully make sure of, by keeping ourselves in the love of God;
and on this we must depend, and from this take our encouragement
against the greatest difficulties.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p16">3. Upon the whole matter, Caleb's request
is (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.12" parsed="|Josh|13|12|0|0" passage="Jos 13:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), <i>Give
me this mountain,</i> (1.) Because it was formerly in God's
promise, and he would let Israel know how much he valued the
promise, insisting upon <i>this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in
that day,</i> as most desirable, though perhaps as good a portion
might have fallen to him by lot in common with the rest. Those that
live by faith value that which is given by promise far above that
which is given by providence only. (2.) Because it was now in the
Anakim's possession, and he would let Israel know how little he
feared the enemy, and would by his example animate them to push on
their conquests. Herein Caleb answered his name, which signifies
<i>all heart.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xv-p17">II. Joshua grants his petition (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.13" parsed="|Josh|13|13|0|0" passage="Jos 13:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): <i>Joshua blessed
him,</i> commended his bravery, applauded his request, and gave him
what he asked. He also prayed for him, and for his good success in
his intended undertaking against the sons of Anak. Joshua was both
a prince and a prophet, and upon both accounts it was proper for
him to give Caleb his blessing, for <i>the less is blessed of the
better.</i> Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.14" parsed="|Josh|13|14|0|0" passage="Jos 13:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), <i>because he wholly
followed the Lord God of Israel.</i> And happy are we if we follow
him. Note, Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favours.
Now, 1. We are here told what Hebron had been, the city of Arba, a
great man among the Anakim (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.13.15" parsed="|Josh|13|15|0|0" passage="Jos 13:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>); we find it called <i>Kirjath-arba</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.2" parsed="|Gen|23|2|0|0" passage="Ge 23:2">Gen. xxiii. 2</scripRef>), as the place where
Sarah died. Hereabouts Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived most of
their time in Canaan, and near to it was the cave of Machpelah,
where they were buried, which perhaps had led Caleb hither when he
went to spy out the land, and had made him covet this rather than
any other part for his inheritance. 2. We are afterwards told what
Hebron was. (1.) It was one of the cities belonging to priests
(<scripRef id="Jos.xv-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.13" parsed="|Josh|21|13|0|0" passage="Jos 21:13">Josh. xxi. 13</scripRef>), and a
<i>city of refuge,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.20.7" parsed="|Josh|20|7|0|0" passage="Jos 20:7">Josh. xx.
7</scripRef>. When Caleb had it, he contented himself with the
country about it, and cheerfully gave the city to the priests, the
Lord's ministers, thinking it could not be better bestowed, no, not
upon his own children, nor that it was the less his own for being
thus devoted to God. (2.) It was a royal city, and, in the
beginning of David's reign, the metropolis of the kingdom of Judah;
thither the people resorted to him, and there he reigned seven
years. Thus highly was Caleb's city honoured; it is a pity there
should have been such a blemish upon his family long after as Nabal
was, who was <i>of the house of Caleb,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xv-p17.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.25.3" parsed="|1Sam|25|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 25:3">1 Sam. xxv. 3</scripRef>. But the best men cannot entail
their virtues.</p>
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