Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. XIIII.

Vers. 1. WHich Eleazar the Priest, and Joshua the sonne of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distri∣buted for inheritance unto them.] Who were chosen by the Lord, and expressed by name, Num. 34.17. See the note upon that place.

Vers. 2. By lot was their inheritance, &c.] For the manner how this was done, see the note upon Num. 26.55. Onely the place where they should have their portion was divided by lot, and afterward the quantitie of their severall portions was laid out by Joshua, Eleazar, and the heads of the tribes, according as the tribe was more or fewer in number; the first being done by casting of lots to prevent all murmur∣ings and discontents, and to make it the more evident that the prophesies both of Jacob and Moses concerning the severall inheritances of the tribes were from God.

Vers. 4. For the children of Joseph were two tribes, &c.] This is added to shew how there were still nine tribes and an half remaining (amongst whom the land was to be divided) notwithstanding the Levites were not reckoned amongst them. See also the note, Gen 48.5.

Vers. 6. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal; and Caleb, &c.] It is evident by this place, that they began the division of Canaan in Gilgal, though they finished it afterwards in Shiloh, chap. 18.1, 6. and that because the Ta∣bernacle was at present in Gilgal, and it was fit this work should be done in the presence of God, both that it might be done the more reverently and religiously, and that hereby they might be put in mind, that it was the Lord their God that would reach forth unto each tribe the lot which he had assigned for their portion. Now when they were met together about this great businesse, it is said here, that Ca∣leb (who is called the sonne of Jephunneh, the Kenezite: because he was descend∣ed from Kenaz of the tribe of Judah, 1. Chron. 4.13, 15. and to distinguish him from another Caleb, who was the sonne of Hezron, 1. Chron. 2.18.) came to Joshua to demand that portion of the land by way of speciall priviledge, which God had long since promised him; and because many of his tribe, that is, of the chief men of his tribe went along with him, to wit, to countenance him, and to further him in his suit; both in regard that Caleb was a man of great eminency in their tribe, and also that the whole tribe were to be in some sort gainers by this extraordinary portion conferred upon him, therefore it is said in the first place, that the children of Judah came unto Joshua; and then afterwards, that Caleb, attended thus with the chief el∣ders of Judah, propounded to Joshua the businesse about which they came.

Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God, concern∣ing me and thee, in Kadesh-barnea.] It is much questioned by Expositours, what the thing is that the Lord said unto Moses concerning Caleb and Ioshua, which Ca∣leb here means. Some hold that so far as it concerns Caleb, it is meant of that par∣ticular promise, which afterwards he doth plainly expresse, vers. 9. to wit, that He∣bron and the land adjoyning should be his inheritance: and for Ioshua, they say it is meant of some such like particular promise that was then also made to him, though it be not expressed in the story, as happely, that he should succeed Moses in the govern∣ment

of Israel, or that he should chuse what city or portion in the land he pleased, to be his peculiar inheritance: and this they judge the more probable, First, because it is not likely but that he dealing faithfully in the answer they returned concerning the land which they had searched, as well as Caleb, the Lord also rewarded him by some speciall promise as well as Caleb: and, Secondly, because it is expressely said chap. 19.50. that according to the word of the Lord, they gave him the citie which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim. Again, others hold that the thing here meant that the Lord said to Moses, both concerning Caleb and Ioshua, is that mentioned Num. 14.30. Doubtlesse ye shall not come into the land concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the sonne of Jephunneh, and Joshua the sonne of Nun. But all things considered, I conceive it most probable, that Caleb spake this indefinitely, of every thing which the Lord had spoken to Mo∣ses concerning Ioshua and Caleb, to wit, that he doubted not but Ioshua knew well what God had said to Moses in Kadesh-barnea concerning them both, when they returned thither from searching the land; and so by affirming this in generall, he makes way to the propounding of that particular promise, vers. 9. which God had made to him, that Hebron and the countrey adjoyning should be his inheritance, concerning which it was necessary that he should appeal to Joshuas knowledge, be∣cause there were none else now living that could be witnesses of it, and in propound∣ing this introduction to that which he had further to say, he calls Moses the man of God, that what God had promised by Moses his speciall servant might be the more regarded by them, Thou knowest, saith he, the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning thee and me in Kadesh-barnea.

Vers. 7. Fourtie yeares old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea.] See the note, chap. 11.18.

And I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.] That is, I told him truly what I thought of the land, and of our going to possesse it, nor did either for fear or favour of any man speak one word otherwise then as in my conscience I thought. I did not say as the other spies said, to please them, nor did I on the other side encourage the people to enter upon the land, thereby to currie favour either with Moses or the people, but I did it sincerely, because I did indeed verily believe, that God would certainly deliver it into our hands. Nor can this be counted any blemish to Caleb that he thus speaks in his own commendation; That his brethren might not tax him either of injustice or ambition, for that which he was now about to require of Joshua, it was fit he should shew upon what just grounds it was at first promised him.

Vers. 8. My brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.] To wit, by perswading the people to en∣ter the land which the Lord had brought them to, even when the rest of the spies did so exceedingly discourage them; which was a singular proof of the uprightnesse of Calebs heart towards God.

Vers. 9. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have troden, shall be thine inheritance, &c.] Hereby it is evident, that there was a particular promise made unto Caleb at Kadesh-Barnea, that Hebron and the land

adjoyning should be his, when the Israelites came to possesse Canaan, and that this place in the land was given him rather then any other, because when the spies had seen those giants, the Anakims, and were stricken with fear, when they saw them there, Numb. 13.22. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak were, and yet Caleb afterward opposed these his fainthearted brethren, and when they objected the invincible strength of the place and people, he encouraged his people, and assured them that they should easily vanquish them; either therefore those places in Moses his story concerning Caleb must be understood of this particular gift, though at first reading they would not seem to import so much, Numb. 14.24. But my servant Caleb, be∣cause he had another spirit with him (and hath followed me fully) him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possesse it. And again, Deut. 1.36. Save Caleb the sonne of Jephunneh, he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath troden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the Lord; or else, there was some particular promise made to him concerning this inheritance, together with that mentioned in those places forenamed, though it be not expressed, and that confirmed with an oath, pronounced by Moses in the name of the Lord. For so we reade it, Num. 14.21, 23, 24. But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, &c. Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it. But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him (and hath followed me fully) him will I bring into the land whereinto he went, and his seed shall possesse it.

Vers. 10. And now behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these fourty and five years, &c.] As if he should have said, God hath you see even miraculously preserved my life and strength, and so reserved me as it were to enjoy this portion of land, which was then promised me.

Vers. 11. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for warre, both to go out and come in.] See the note upon Numb. 27.17.

Vers. 12. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day.] That is, the mountainous countrey promised him by Moses, wherein Hebron, Debir, and some other towns stood. See chap. 11.21.

For thou heardest in that day that the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced.] This he may speak as intimating that seeing he himself would undertake the expelling of the giants that dwelt there, though the most for∣midable in all the land of Canaan, his desire was the more reasonable, because he was to get with so much danger and difficulty the place that he desired of them. But I rather conceive that this is added, to clear it that this was the place promised him, to wit, because it was the place where the Anakims dwelt, whose huge bodies and great fenced cities were formerly so dreadfull to the other spies that went with him.

If so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.] This he saith, not as doubting Gods faithfulnesse and assistance, but as thereby implying the difficulty of the work: but that he reposed himself on the help and assistance of God, see the note chap. 11.24.

Vers. 13. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the sonne of Jephunneh,

Hebron for an inheritance.] That is, he commended him, approved his motion, granted his request, and desired God to blesse it both to him and his. How this is said to be Calebs inheritance that was afterwards given to the Levites, see chap. 21.11.

Vers. 15. And the land had rest from warre.] We have this clause before, chap. 11.23. Here it is repeated again, 1. to intimate, That though the foregoing passage concerning Calebs desiring Hebron be here inserted, yet it was done before Joshua had ended his warres, and that however all the victories of Joshua be recorded in the tenth and eleventh chapters, because he would joyn them altogether, yet many of these things hereafter expressed were done before the warres were ended: and se∣condly, To make way hereby to the relation of that which was further done con∣cerning the division of the land, which was not till the land had rest.