19 And the people H5971 came up H5927 out of Jordan H3383 on the tenth H6218 day of the first H7223 month, H2320 and encamped H2583 in Gilgal, H1537 in the east H4217 border H7097 of Jericho. H3405
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Joshua, H3091 This day H3117 have I rolled away H1556 the reproach H2781 of Egypt H4714 from off you. Wherefore the name H8034 of the place H4725 is called H7121 Gilgal H1537 unto this day. H3117
O my people, H5971 remember H2142 now what Balak H1111 king H4428 of Moab H4124 consulted, H3289 and what Balaam H1109 the son H1121 of Beor H1160 answered H6030 him from Shittim H7851 unto Gilgal; H1537 that ye may know H3045 the righteousness H6666 of the LORD. H3068
This month H2320 shall be unto you the beginning H7218 of months: H2320 it shall be the first H7223 month H2320 of the year H8141 to you. Speak H1696 ye unto all the congregation H5712 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 In the tenth H6218 day of this month H2320 they shall take H3947 to them every man H376 a lamb, H7716 according to the house H1004 of their fathers, H1 a lamb H7716 for an house: H1004
And the men H582 of Gibeon H1391 sent H7971 unto Joshua H3091 to the camp H4264 to Gilgal, H1537 saying, H559 Slack H7503 not thy hand H3027 from thy servants; H5650 come up H5927 to us quickly, H4120 and save H3467 us, and help H5826 us: for all the kings H4428 of the Amorites H567 that dwell H3427 in the mountains H2022 are gathered together H6908 against us.
And Joshua H3091 returned, H7725 and all Israel H3478 with him, unto the camp H4264 to Gilgal. H1537
And the border H1366 went up H5927 toward Debir H1688 from the valley H6010 of Achor, H5911 and so northward, H6828 looking H6437 toward Gilgal, H1537 that is before H5227 the going up H4608 to Adummim, H131 which is on the south side H5045 of the river: H5158 and the border H1366 passed H5674 toward the waters H4325 of Enshemesh, H5885 and the goings out H8444 thereof were at Enrogel: H5883
Then said H559 Samuel H8050 to the people, H5971 Come, H3212 and let us go H3212 to Gilgal, H1537 and renew H2318 the kingdom H4410 there. And all the people H5971 went H3212 to Gilgal; H1537 and there they made Saul H7586 king H4427 before H6440 the LORD H3068 in Gilgal; H1537 and there they sacrificed H2076 sacrifices H2077 of peace offerings H8002 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 and there Saul H7586 and all the men H582 of Israel H3478 rejoiced H8055 greatly. H3966
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Joshua 4
Commentary on Joshua 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
This chapter gives a further account of the miraculous passage of Israel through Jordan.
Jos 4:1-9
We may well imagine how busy Joshua and all the men of war were while they were passing over Jordan, when besides their own marching into an enemy's country, and in the face of the enemy, which could not but occasion them many thoughts of hear, they had their wives, and children, and families, their cattle, and tents, and all their effects, bag and baggage, to convey by this strange and untrodden path, which we must suppose either very muddy or very stony, troublesome to the weak and frightful to the timorous, the descent to the bottom of the river and the ascent out of it steep, so that every man must needs have his head full of care and his hands full of business, and Joshua more than any of them. And yet, in the midst of all his hurry, care must be taken to perpetuate the memorial of this wonderous work of God, and this care might not be adjourned to a time of greater leisure. Note, How much soever we have to do of business for ourselves and our families, we must not neglect nor omit what we have to do for the glory of God and the serving of his honour, for that is our best business. Now,
Jos 4:10-19
The inspired historian seems to be so well pleased with his subject here that he is loth to quit it, and is therefore very particular in his narrative, especially in observing how closely Joshua pursued the orders God gave him, and that he did nothing without divine direction, finishing all that the Lord had commanded him (v. 10), which is also said to be what Moses commanded. We read not of any particular commands that Moses gave to Joshua about this matter: the thing was altogether new to him. It must therefore be understood of the general instructions Moses had given him to follow the divine direction, to deliver that to the people which he received of the Lord, and to take all occasions to remind them of their duty to God, as the best return for his favours to them. This which Moses, who was now dead and gone, had said to him, he had in mind at this time, and did accordingly. It is well for us to have the good instructions that have been given us ready to us when we have occasion for them.
Jos 4:20-24
The twelve stones which were laid down in Gilgal (v. 8) are here set up either one upon another, yet so as that they might be distinctly counted, or one by another in rows; for after they were fixed they ar not call a heap of stones, but these stones.