39 This is the inheritance of the tribe || against Leshem, and took it, and smote it of the children of Naphtali, according to with the edge of the sword, and possesstheir families, the cities and their vil- ed it, and dwelt therein, and called 'Lelages. shem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

40 T And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan accordng to their families.

41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,

d

e

42 And Shaalabbin, and * Ajalon, and Jethlah,

43 And Elon, and 'Thimnathah, and

h

& Ekron,
44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and
i Baalath,

45 And Jehud, and Bene-berak, and j Gath-rimmon,

46 And Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.

47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them; therefore the children of Dan went up to fight

c 15:33. Zoreah. Judg. 13:2,25 16:31. 18:2. 1 Chr. 2:53. 2Chr.

h 21:23. 1 Kings 15:27. 16:15.
i 1 Kings 9.18.

j 21:24.

here men tioned, be the same place where Christ wrought his first miracle, or another city of the same name more to the north.

V. 32-39. (Marg. Ref.) The inheritance of Naphtali lay east of Asher; but it did not extend quite so far to the north. It bordered or Zebulun on the south and south-west, and reached to the lake of Gennesaret, or the sea of Tiberias.-It is not easy to determine what is meant by the clause "to Judah upon Jordan towards the sun-rising;" (34) for the lot of Naphtali was far distant from Judah. But some suppose, that it communicated and traded with Judah by Jordan, the eastern border of the land.

tribe, and not far from Shiloh where the ark of God was placed. Thus he closed all his great and memorable services, by an example of moderation, equity, piety, and industry in rebuilding the city assigned him, which does great honor to his character. It does not appear that Joshua left any posterity.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

If the true believer have entered into engagements, which are likely to prove injurious to im, he will not retract, nor disappoint those who con fide in him: but if he have obtained an undue advantage in any contract, he will recede from it V. 40--48. The inheritance of Dan lay on the without murmuring, in compliance with the requinorth and north-west of Judah, as it is generally sitions of equity and kindness. For "love seeketh supposed; being taken, in part at least, from the not her own," and "doth not behave unseemly." country at first allotted to that tribe: for several of (Note, 1 Cor. 13:4-7.)-They are most favored the cities here mentioned were numbered among in Providence, who are placed nearest to the those of Judah. (Marg. Ref.)-It also bordered sanctuary, and have most advantages, and the on Benjamin to the north-east, on Ephraim to the fewest hindrances, to the salvation of their souls; north, and on Simeon to the south. The country, though they do not possess worldly influence or possessed by the Philistines, seems in part to have distinctions: and, as far as we have the choice belonged to the inheritance of Dan: and the clause referred to us, we should always decide by this rendered "the coast of Dan went out too little for rule. But a sovereign God dispenses his favors them," may mean, that the Danites were deprived as he pleases; and one man has his habitation asof their country by the ancient inhabitants, and signed him in "the valley of vision," and another therefore had not a sufficient portion; and the fol- his "in the very region of the shadow of death;" lowing brief account of a transaction afterwards "according to the good pleasure of his will.".. more fully recorded, was added to complete the Disinterestedness and an unassuming deportment description of the inheritance at length possessed shed a peculiar lustre upon eminent characters: by this tribe. Probably this occurred soon after and they, who labor most to do good to others, the death of Joshua; and the addition to the nar-will be indifferent about their own worldly interative might be made by Phinehas. (Judg. 20:28. Notes, Judg. 18:)

ests, and willing to forego all things, rather than preclude themselves from the sweet pleasure of V. 49, 50. Joshua waited till all the tribes were communicating felicity. An inheritance in the settled, before he required any provision for him- Canaan above they must and do covet; but it will self. It is probable, that the Lord had command-be soon enough to enter upon that, when they ed the Israelites to give him an inheritance, at the time when he gave orders about Caleb: accordingly he desired to have Timnath-serah, which was not a city of great note, nor situated in the best of the land: but it lay in the lot of his own VOL. I.

85

have done all the service to their brethren, of which they are capable; nor can any thing more effectually assure them of their title to it than laying themselves out properly to bring others to desire, to seek, and to obtain possession of it.

[673

3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

j

lot unto the Levites these cities with their 8 And the children of Israel gave i by suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the

k

hand of Moses.

the children of Judah, and out of the tribe 9 T And they gave out of the tribe of of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here * mentioned by name;

1

10 Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.

who

4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and Arba, the father of Anak, (which city 11 And they gave them the city of out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen citis Hebron,) in the hill-country of Ju5 And the rest of the children of Ko- dah, with the suburbs thereof round about hath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half-tribe of Manas

ies.

seh, ten cities.

a 19:51. Ex. 8:14,25.

b 14:1. 17:4. Num. 34:17-29. c See on 18:1.

d Num. 35:2-8. Ez. 48:9-18. Matt. 10 10. Gal. 6:6. 1 Tim. 5:17,18

demnation; yea, though they have committed the most atrocious crimes, not even excepting the worst of murders: (Notes, Acts 26:9-11. 1 Tim. 1:12-16.) nor will any protection, instruction, sanctification, fellowship with God, or joy in him, be withheld from them. His power and presence will be their strong tower against all their enemies: nor will the exalted Savior fail, in consequence of his own death, to restore all of them to their forfeited inheritance; nay, to exalt them to share his glory, in the presence of "his Father and their Father, of his God and their God." To him let sinners flee, before the sword of vengeance overtake them; for he is ever near, and he hath said, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." In him let believers abide, hope, and rejoice; and may we all love, obey, and imitate him, more and more. (Note, Heb. 6:16-20.)

NOTES.

CHAP. XXI. V. 1, 2. The Levites had waited, till all the other tribes were provided for and were about to separate, before they preferred their claim. They had received no inheritance of land among their brethren; and they were therefore as justly entitled to the tithes, first-fruits, and holy things, and to forty-eight cities with their suburbs for their habitation, as the other Israelites were to their lands. (Note, Num. 35:2--8.) The cities, however, were made conducive to the common benefit of the nation; as the Levites were thus dispersed in every part, to instruct and edify the people by their doctrine and example; and also as watchmen, to restrain idolatry, and to provide for

it.

12 But the fields of the city, and the

villages thereof, gage they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh, for his possession.

b 27-33. Ex. 6:16,17. Num. 3:
21,22. 1 Chr. 6:62,71-76.

i 34 40. Ex. 6:19. Num. 3:20.
1 Chr. 6:63,77-81.

18:6. Num. 33:54. 35:3. Prov.

16:33. 18:18.

k Num. 35:2.

113-18. 1 Chr. 6:65.

Heb. called.

m See on 4.-Ex. 6:18,20-26. Num. 3.2 4,19,27. 4:2.

† Or, Kirjath-arba. 15:13,14,54. Gen. 23:2. 35:27. Judg. 1:10. n 2 Sam. 2:1-3. 5:1-5. 15:7. Luke 1:39.

o 14:13-15. 1 Chr. 6:55-57.

the punishment of those who were notoriously guilty of it: and as it was their interest, as well as duty, to retain the people in the worship of JEHOVAH alone, this was a very suitable expedient. It is probable, from the subsequent history, that others lived in these cities besides the Levites, as their tenants, for the advantage of their instructions, or to carry on trades. Thus the Levites were plentifully provided for, as long as the people adhered to the worship of God, and respected his commandments; but liable to be deprived of their provision, if the people apostatized. (Note, 2 Chr. 11:13-17.)

V. 3-5. When the proper number of cities had been given by the several tribes, the families of the Levites cast lots for them: and the first lot fell to that of Aaron, not in the neighborhood of Shiloh, where the ark was then placed, but in that of Jerusalem, where the temple was built above four hundred years afterwards. (Note, 1 Kings 6:1.)-The rest of the Kohathites also had their cities not far from their brethren. (9—26.)—The family of Aaron could not at this time be very numerous, though it had greatly increased since his appointment to the priesthood; yet thirteen cities were allotted to it as a patrimony, in the divine foreknowledge of its future enlargement: for we have reason to think, that no other family increased so much in proportion, after Israel's departure from Egypt, as that of Aaron.

13 Thus they gave to the children of|| 27 ¶ And unto the children of GerAaron the priest, Hebron with her sub-shon, of the families of the Levites, out of urbs, to be a city of refuge for the the other half-tribe of Manasseh, they gave slayer, and Libnah with her suburbs, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to 14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, Beeshterah with her suburbs: two cities. 28 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, " Dabareh with her suburbs,

39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs: four cities in all. 40 So all the cities for the children of Merari, by their families, which were re

e 1 Kings 2:26. Is. 10:30. Jer. maining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot, twelve cities.

gave it to the priests, that he might set an examination of the marginal references will discove ple to his brethren of cheerfully contributing to the maintenance of religion. (Note, 14:6—15.) V. 13-24. Marg. Ref.

41 All the cities of the Levites, within the possession of the children of Israel, were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.

42 These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them; thus were all these cities.

43 T And the LORD c gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. CHAP. XXII.

Joshua dismisses Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, with his commendation, counsel, and blessing; and with a large booty, 1-9. They build an altar of testimony near Jordan; at which the other tribes are offended, prepare for war, and send to expos tulate with them, 10-20. They explain and vindicate their conduct, to the satisfaction of their brethren, 21-33. The name of the altar, or the inscription on it, 34.

HEN Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the halftribe of Manasseh,

2 And said unto them, b Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:

c

3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have

45 There failed not ought of any kept the charge of the commandment of

b Gen. 49:7. Num. 35:1-8. | d 1:15. 11:23. 22:4.9. Deut. 33:10.

c Gen. 12:7. 13:15. 15:18-21. 26:3,4. 28:4,13,14. Ex. 3:8. 23: 27-31. Ps. 44:3. 106:42-45.

the LORD Deut. 7:

22,23. 31:3-5. Heb. 4:9.

ė 23:14,15. Num. 23:19. 1 Kings
8:56. 1 Cor. 1:9. 1 Thes. 5:24.
Tit. 1:2. Heb. 6:18.

V. 41, 42. 'So God ordered by Moses, Num. '35:7. And it is a demonstration, that Moses was 'divinely inspired, to make such an appointment; before they knew whether, without straitening 'the other tribes, they could afford so many cities 'to the Levites.' Bp. Patrick.

your God.

a See on Num. 32:18-33. Deut.
29:7,8.

-20.
c 1:12-18.

b Num. 32:20-29. Deut. 3:18 d Phil. 1:23-27.

their displeasure.-As on this extraordinary occasion, the cities of the priests and Levites were assigned them immediately by God himself, through the casting of lots; so, in ordinary cases, every one should consider his station as determined by divine Providence, and should cheerfully continue V. 43-45. This acknowledgment of the faith- to perform the duties of it, though he seem to fulness of God to his promises, was a very becom- have more discouragements and inconveniences ing conclusion to the history of the conquest and than the rest of his brethren; and not venture to division of the land. For wise and gracious rea- remove, till satisfied, after serious consideration, sons, some of the Canaanites were permitted to prayer, and consultation of his pious friends and continue among the Israelites; but at this time seniors, that the Lord calls him to another place. they gave them no molestation: nor would they-Happy is the land where faithful ministers of have ever made head against them, but on the Christ are to be met with in every district! The contrary they would soon have been exterminat-people will not be impoverished by maintaining ed, had not the people provoked the Lord to employ them for chastisement, as we shall read in the subsequent history. When, however, the several tribes and families had settled in their estates, and cultivated them without disturbance; every particular of the Lord's promises, on that head, had been punctually fulfilled.

them: nor will they in general much complain in this respect; so long as ministers diligently apply themselves to dispel ignorance and error, and to diffuse the light of divine truth; to stop the ress of immorality, and promote the practice of proguniversal holiness; and, by their doctrine, influence, example, and prayers, to render all within their sphere more wise, holy, and happy.--PerPRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. sons of eminence should take the lead in every The maintenance of the ministers of religion good work, that their examples may excite othshould be considered, as required by the com- ers; always remembering, that pre-eminence in mand of God, and not as a matter of mere choice real usefulness is the most valuable distinction.or discretion. They "who labor in the word and In due season, all the promises of God will be ac doctrine," have as good a title to a comfortable complished to his true people: and their believing support, as other men have to their estates; and hope, and patient waiting, and self-denying obeon some occasions must be allowed, without cen- dience, will terminate in joyful songs of triumph, sure, to assert their claim against such as would and thankful celebrations of his faithfulness, love, defraud them: but this should always be done with and power. Then will it be universally acknowlevident reluctance as a matter of necessity; and edged that "there hath not failed ought of any with a willingness to refer themselves to the ar- good thing, which the LORD had spoken;" nay, bitration of impartial persons. And, in ordinary that he has exceeded their largest expectations, cases, it more accords to the examples of the New and made them more than conquerors, and brought Testament, when they choose to "suffer all things," them to their delightful rest and inheritance. May rather than to take any steps which may impede none of us at that season be found among his enethe success of their labors. Yet this excellent mies, "who shall be destroyed for ever!"-Let no spirit in faithful ministers, is so far from excusing true believer despond, because of delays, tribulathose who defraud them, that it greatly aggravates tions, and temptations; for God has confirmed his their sin. It is very desirable that all the tem- promise and covenant "with an oath, that we poral concerns, relating to this sacred function, might have a strong consolation, who have fled should be amicably settled, and arranged in such for refuge, to lay hold on the hope set before us." a manner, as to subserve its grand object; to oc- Let us then beg of him to enable us to confide in casion to the clergy as few avocations, tempta-him entirely, to obey him unreservedly, and to tions, or discouragements as may be; and to afford them every advantage of access to the people; that they may exhort, instruct, and reprove them, without falling under their contempt, or dreading

wait for him patiently; for we have need of patience, that "after we have done the will of God, we might receive the promise." (Note, Heb. 6. 11-20. P. O. 13-20. Jam. 5:7,8.)