CHAP. XII, XIII.
JOshua the Twelfth, is plainly an Epilogue, or Conclusion of Israel's Wars, both un∣der Moses, and under Joshua's Conduct; and 'tis likewise a Catalogue of all those Countreys, which these two Generals Conquered; together with the Names of all those Kings whom they killed; upon all which many Remarks have been already. It may therefore suffice to say only this here, that the Divinely Inspired Writer of this Book of Joshua, purposing in the next place to relate how the whole Land of Canaan was di∣stributed, and divided among the Twelve Tribes of Israel, in order hereunto be first proposed a prospect of all those places which did belong to that Division and distributi∣on, and this he doth, by naming the Kings rather than their Kingdoms, for that was a more compendious Method for a Narrative of that Nature, not only because many pla∣ces were under one King, and because the Conquest of Kings gave a lustre to the glory of all those Victories; but also because the Name and Dignity of Kings was had in the highest Veneration amongst all Nations, therefore doth this Chapter give us a brief Epitome, a short Compendium, First, Of Moses Conquering the two Kings, Sihon and Og, from ver. 2. to 6. And Secondly, Of Joshua's Conquering other Nine and Twenty Kings, making up the Number to be Thirty one, from ver. 7. to 24. a Number that is account∣ed a Compleat Hitter among Card-Gamesters.
Joshua the Thirteenth, brings in God's Command for dividing the Conquered Land unto Joshua, when old Age was come upon him, ver. 1. 'tis very credible, that Joshua thought that all the Canaanites must be rooted out, before any Division of their Lands among the Tribes should be begun, now when Joshua felt the Inconveniences of Old Age creep fast upon him, he could not chuse but have many Anxious Thoughts of Heart, therefore God comes to comfort him, and to quiet his fluctuating Mind, saying, as it were, Let not thy heart be troubled, as John 14.1. though many Canaanites remain still Ʋnconquered, yet the farther work I have to employ thee in, the short remainder of thy Days, is in dividing the Land already Conquered, and though the Conquest of all Canaan be not now accomplish'd, yet this shall be no reason to hinder the distribu∣tion of the Land of Promise at this time, it shall be delay'd no longer, for I will surely subdue the rest that are unsubdued. Hereupon Joshua divides the Land already subdued, and not only so, but distributes by lot all those Lands also that were not yet subdued, as if they had been already in Joshua's hands to bestow. Some Canaanites were reserv'd for Israel's Exercise: Nor had God promis'd, that Joshua should Conquer Canaan whol∣ly; but only, that he should bring Israel into it, Deut. 31.23. and divide the Land as their Inheritance, Josh. 1.6.