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. VIII.

Vers. 1. TAke all the people of warre with thee, and arise, go up to Ai, &c.] Though the citie of Ai were but small, yet all the men of warre were now appointed to go up against it, both for the better heartning of the people in re∣gard of their former astonishment and fear; as also, because they were all to be im∣ployed in taking the spoil of the city.

Vers. 2. And thou shalt do to Ai and her King, as thou didst unto Jericho and her King.] That is, as thou didst burn the city of Jericho, and didst slay the King and inhabitants thereof, so shalt thou also do to the city of Ai, the King and the in∣habitants thereof. The meaning is not that the same should be done in every parti∣cular as was done at Jericho (for we do not reade that the King of Jericho was hang∣ed as the King of Ai was, nor that the rebuilding of Ai was forbidden under a curse as the rebuilding of Jericho was) but that they should utterly destroy the citie and the inhabitants as they did Jericho; indeed it may seem strange, why the Lord enjoyn∣ed them to burn this citie also after they had taken the spoil thereof, and that because the Lord had formerly promised the Israelites, that they should dwell in their cities, and in their houses, Deut. 19.1. nor do we reade that after this, they used to burn the cities, except it were Hazor, chap. 11.11. But for this, these two reasons are given by Expositours, to wit, that God did so appoint it, first, because as yet God would not have them possesse any fortified towns or cities, lest they should put con∣fidence in the strength of these places, and not wholly rest and rely upon God: and secondly, because the people being to be led further, to mount Ebal and mount Ge∣rizim, God would not have them leave this city standing behind them, lest any of the inhabitants should retire thither, and again fortifie the citie against them. As for the encouragement intimated in the mention that is here made of what they had done to Jericho, see the note upon a like passage in Deut. 3.2.

Vers. 2. Lay thee an ambush for the citie behind it.] Herein also God had re∣spect to the weaknesse and foregoing fears of the people by giving them hope of van∣quishing their enemies not by fine force in a pitched battel, but by this secret device and stratagem of warre.

Vers. 3. So Joshua arose and all the people of warre to go up against Ai, &c.] The relation which we have here of the course which Joshua took for the surprising of Ai is very intricate, so that it is indeed very hard to say both what company of the Israelites went up against Ai, and how many of them were laid in ambush for the surprising of the citie, when Joshua and those that were with him made shew of flying before the men of Ai. For first, some expositours are of opinion that all the men of warre in Israel, (that is, all in a manner, all except some few that were left for the defence of the camp) went up with Joshua against Ai, and that the night be∣fore he meant to make an assault upon the citie, he chose out thirty thousand of his souldiers whom he sent away by night giving them in charge to lay themselves in ambush in some convenient place behind the citie, which was on the west side of Ai, between Bethel and Ai, which they accordingly did, and that then very early the next morning Joshua drew up all the rest of the people that were with him, and

pitched on a hill on the Northside of Ai, and being there took other five thousand men and laid them also in ambush between Bethel and Ai, as the other were, but (••ay they) more northerly and somewhat nearer his armie, conceiving that this am∣bush was not laid to surprise the citie and set it on fire as the other was, but for some other purpose, as happely to fall upon the backs of the enemie to prevent their flying away when Joshua and those that were with him should turn head against them, &c. And indeed according to the plain order of the words this seems to have been the course that was taken; for here we see it is said, that Joshua arose and all the people of warre to go up against Ai, and that he chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night; and then it follows in the next verse (which seems plainly to have relation to the thirty thousand before mention∣ed) And he commanded them, saying, Behold ye shall lie in wait against the citie, even behind it, &c. and I and all the people that are with me will approch unto the citie, &c. and again, vers. 9. Joshua therefore sent them forth, (which still seems to be spoken of the thirty thousand before mentioned) and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai on the west side of Ai. And then afterwards speaking of that which Joshua did the next morning, vers. 10, 11, 12. it is said, that Joshua rose up early in the morning, &c. and all the people of warre that were with him went up and drew nigh and came before the citie, and pitched on the north side of Ai, &c. and he took about five thousand men and set them to lie in ambush be∣tween Bethel and Ai on the west side of the citie. So that according to the plain letter of the text no man could think at first reading but that there were two ambu∣shes laid; one of thirty thousand men, vers. 3, 4. and another of about five thousand vers. 12. Well, but yet others and indeed the most and best of all Expositours do otherwise conceive, of that which is here written concerning the surprising of Ai, namely that Joshua took onely thirty thousand in all with him to go against Ai, and that there was no other ambush laid between Bethel and Ai but that of the five thousand mentioned vers. 12. And the reasons which move them thus to conceive of this passage of the storie are very considerable, to wit, first, Because had they carried all the men of warre of Israel against Ai, which were many hundred thousands, it is not likely that the men of Ai would have adventured to sallie out against them; secondly, Because the place assigned for the ambush both vers. 4. and vers. 12. is the very same, to wit, the west side of Ai, between Bethel and Ai; nor can any probable reason be given either why two severall ambushes should be laid on the same side of the citie, or how such a mighty number of armed men, as first thirtie thousand, and then five thousand should conveniently be disposed of to lie undiscovered in two se∣verall ambushes between Ai and Bethel, a town near at hand and confederate with Ai; and thirdly, especially, Because there is no mention made in the sequel of this storie of any thing that was done for the surprisall of Ai but onely by one ambush, who when the men of Ai were pursuing the rest of the Israelites came out, and on a sudden took the citie, and set it on fire. Upon these grounds, I say, most that have written upon this place do hold that there was but one ambush laid, to wit, that of five thousand men mentioned vers. 12. So that according to this opinion of theirs, whereas it is said here, that Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour,

and sent them away by night, and he commanded them, saying, Behold ye shall lie in wait against the citie, &c. The words must not be so understood as if he com∣manded all those thirtie thousand men to lie in ambush behind Ai, but that he com∣manded them that they should lay some in ambush, to wit, the five thousand men∣tioned afterward vers. 12. And indeed this Exposition I conceive to be the most probable; onely because it is so expressely said vers. 1. Take all the people of warre with thee and arise go up to Ai, and here again, So Joshua arose and all the people of warre to go up against Ai, I cannot see how it can be denied that Joshua carried the whole armie of Israel with him: so that thus I think we may best conceive of the whole carriage of this expedition against Ai, to wit, first, That Joshua marched with all the men of warre from Gilgal till they were come so near it that they might the following night go up to the citie, vers. 3. secondly, That he sent away from thence that night vers. 3, 4. thirty thousand of his choicest men with a charge that taking the advantage of the night they should lay an ambush behind the citie between Be∣thel and Ai, to wit, an ambush of five thousand men, as is afterwards expressed vers. 12. the other five and twentie thousand being sent with him, that they staying some where not farre from them, might be able to encounter the enemie, in case the inhabitants of the citie should discover them and come out with all their power against them; all which they did accordingly vers. 9. and Joshua lodged that night amongst the rest of the people. thirdly, That early the next morning before it was yet day Joshua went up after this thirtie thousand and pitched on the north side of Ai, (joyning happely now with the five and twentie thousand that went along with those that were to lie in ambush) but in a place where the men of Ai could not yet discover them, there being a valley between them and the Israelites, vers. 10, 11. fourthly, Having thus set the ambush on the west side of the citie, and the bodie of the armie on the North, Joshua went presently before it was day into the midst of the valley, vers. 13. purposely that the men of Ai might see them, and therefore questionlesse he carried with him into this valley but a small party, that the inhabi∣tants might be the readier to salley out against them, and fifthly, That when the men of Ai taking notice thereof, hereupon came out and set upon them, and were drawn off farre from the city, by the counterfeit flight of the Israelites, hereupon Joshua made a stand, and set upon those that pursued them, and withall the ambush rose out of their place, surprised the city, and set it on fire.

Vers. 7. And ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seise upon the city.] To wit, upon a signe given them: concerning which, see the note upon vers. 18.

Vers. 10. And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbred the people.] Which it seems he did that when the people should afterwards see that they had now vanquished their enemies without any losse, they might be the more courageous and wholly overcome their former fears. See the note also upon vers. 3.

Vers. 11. And all the people, even the people of warre that were with him, went up and drew nigh and came before the citie, and pitched on the North side of Ai, &c.] They marched first forward on the East side of the citie, but then fetching a little compasse, pitched on the North side, because that place was most convenient for them, and there they should be the nearer to those that were laid in ambush. See the note also upon vers. 3.

Vers. 12. And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush, &c.] See the note upon vers. 3.

Vers. 13. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.] That is, early in the morning when it was yet dark, vers. 10. And Joshua rose up early in the morning and numbred the people. See also the note upon vers. 3.

Vers. 14. And the men of the city went out against Israel to battell, he and all his people at a time appointed, &c.] That is, they all came together at a time appointed from all the severall parts of the city, and at the self same time rushed all out toge∣ther, and set upon the Israelites with great violence. When Joshua came into the valley with that small company he brought with him, he desired there should be no∣tice taken of it, so that happely by the noise they made they might be discovered; whereof when word was brought to the King, he appointed that all the Garrison souldiers in the city should be in readinesse at such a time, that they might go out against the Israelites, and accordingly at the time appointed (which shews how forward they were by reason of their former victory) they were all met, and toge∣ther with their King, did sally forth and set upon them.

Vers. 15. And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wildernesse.] They fled doubtlesse towards the body of their armie, which they had left on the hill beyond the plain where they now fled before the men of Ai. This wildernesse therefore here mentioned was it seems in that place, and we may probably conceive, that it was the wildernesse of Beth-aven; for that was nigh unto Bethel, chap. 18.12, 13.

Vers. 16. And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them.] That is, all the souldiers, all that could bear arms: for that others were left in the city, is evident vers. 24. All the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

Vers. 17. And there was not a man left in Ai, or Bethel, &c.] It seems Bethel being but a little town, and confederate with Ai, the inhabitants at the first approch of the Israelites, had forsaken it, as having no hope to be able to keep it, and had ad∣ded their power to that of Ai, to make that the stronger. And hence Bethel is also mentioned with Ai, the text telling of us that there was not a man left, that is, a souldier, neither in Ai, or Bethel; because from Bethel they were come to Ai, and now altogether were gone out in the pursuit of the Israelites. Yet if we consider how closely the ambush of the Israelites might be laid in some woods, or some other pla∣ces of covert betwixt Bethel and Ai, I see not why we may not conceive that the Garrison of Ai, seeing the Israelites fly again, either by post sent thither, or by some signe given them, called forth the men of Bethel to joyn with them in the pursuit of the Israelites. How Bethel came to be long after this in the possession of the Canaa∣nites, see the note upon Judg. 1.24.

Vers. 18. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thine hand towards Ai.] This God enjoyned him to do, as a signe to the people that they should now make a stand, and with assurance that God would deliver the city into their hand, should now again make head against the enemie, from whom they had seemed to fly; as even in these times, the captain stretching forth his spear or staffe

upon the face of the enemie, is a signe to the souldiers of reinforcing the battell.

Vers. 19. And the ambush rose quickly out of their place, and they ranne as soon as he had stretched out his hand.] How they that lay covertly in the ambush on the West side of the city, should among so many thousand discern Joshua his spear stretched out, now especially when by a seeming flight they had drawn the enemie so farre from the city, I cannot conceive; and therefore I rather think that upon this signe given by Joshua, his souldiers gave a shout, or the musicall instru∣ments gave warning, for reinforcing the battell, and hereby the spies knew it was time to enter the city.

Vers. 19. And they hasted, and entered into the city and took it, and hasted and set it on fire.] That is, some house in the city, that by the smoke thereof, the Israe∣lites might perceive the city was taken. See the following note.

Vers 24. All the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.] That is, the men and women and children left in the city; for they had before onely set fire on some one place of the city, that thereby it might be known they had taken it: but now upon Joshuas coming, after they had slain those in the field, they entered the city, slew all that were found in it, took away the spoyl, and then burnt the city wholly with fire to the ground, vers. 28.

Vers. 25. And so it was, that all that fell that day both of men and women were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.] That is, say some Expositours, twelve thousand of the men of Ai, besides those of Bethel, that joyned with the men of Ai, vers. 17. against the Israelites, of whom how many were slain it is not expressed. But because the number of the slain were taken by the Israelites, who could not di∣stinguish betwixt those of Ai, and those of Bethel, even those of Bethel might well be comprehended in those words even all the men of Ai, because they were slain in this expedition of the Israelites against Ai.

Vers. 26. And Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, &c.] But still with his spear stretched forth led them on upon the chase and slaughter of their enemies.

Vers. 28. And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.] It is evident, that in the dayes of Nehemiah this citie Ai was built again, because we find it named, Neh. 11.31. amongst the cities that Benjamin dwelt in, though indeed it be not there called Ai, but Aijah; and therefore by this word for ever is meant onely, as in many other places of Scripture, a long time. As for that clause, even a desolation to this day, see the notes upon chap. 3.9.

Vers. 29. And the King of Ai, he hanged upon a tree untill the even tide.] Jo∣shua was to execute Gods vengeance upon these inhabitants of Canaan: now as the kings were most deeply ingaged in the abominations of the land, through whose neglect of justice they became the more rife, so the greatest severity he still shows against them.

And as soon as the sunne was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree.] See the note upon Deut. 21.23.

And cast it at the entring of the gate of the city, &c.] Where was the place of judgement, that the very place where he was buried with a heap of stones raised up∣on

him might intimate the justice of God in thus punishing him that took no care to punish the wickednesse that was dayly committed amongst his people.

Vers. 30. Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount E∣bal, &c.] That is, about this time. Moses had before his death charged the Israelites that when they came into the land of Canaan they should build a monument of great stones and write the law thereon, and that at the same time they should build an altar of whole stones and offer sacrifices thereon; and that on mount Gerizim and mount Ebal (where this was to be done) the people should in a solemn manner give their consent to certain blessings and curses that should be read in their hearing, as we may reade in the 27. Chapter of Deuteronomy. Here therefore the story re∣lates now how Joshua did what Moses had commanded them. But why did he do it now? or how could he do it now, since they were not yet come to mount Geri∣zim and mount Ebal? I answer: Some affirm that these mountains were nigh to Ai and Bethel; and others say, That though this story be inserted in this place, yet it was done long after the taking of Ai. But because it is generally held (and not without just ground) that Gerizim was in the tribe of Ephraim; which was much further up into the countrey, and withall, that this word (then) immediately fol∣lowing the story of taking Ai, Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord, &c. seems plainly to imply, that this was done much about this time; therefore I ra∣ther conceive that after the sacking of Ai Joshua finding the way to these mountains clear and open, by reason of the terrour wherewith the enemies were stricken, took this opportunity to go up with the people thither there to perform this service, which upon the first opportunity they had, he knew they were bound to perform. And indeed we may well think that the destroying of these two towns of Jericho and Ai (the bulworks of their countrey on that side) did at first mightily dismay the inhabi∣tants, though within a while they began to combine themselves together against the Israelites, as is related in the beginning of the following chapter. What is further ne∣cessary to be known concerning this monument of stones and the altar that was built with it, we may see in the notes upon the 11. and 27. chapters of Deuteronomy.

Vers. 32. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, &c.] Not the stones of the altar, but stones erected for that very purpose that the law might be written on them, as we may see Deuteronomy 27. where there is severall directions given first for these stones, then for the altar.

Vers. 33. Half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over a∣gainst mount Ebal, &c.] See the note upon Deut. 27.12.

Vers. 34. And afterward he read all the word of the Law, &c.] That is, the Priests, by Moses appointment: of which see again the note upon Deut. 27.12, 13.