A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the book of Joshua finished a little…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the booke of Iosue finished a little…

29 And the King of Ai he hanged on a tree, unto the evening. And as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and lay thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth until this day.

29 And the King of Ai he hanged on a tree, vnto the euening. And as soone as the sunne was downe, Ioshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entring of the gate of the citie, and lay thereon a great heape of stones, that remaineth vntill this day.

1 And the Lord said, &c.) It was to great purpose to encourage Joshua & the people a fresh, that they might cheerfully address themselves to assault the city of Hai, from which with some loss, & greater shame, they were repulsed. God therefore, that they might take upon them this enterprise without fear, promiseth that he will deliver the city unto them. For the same reason and purpose, he commandeth them to fight by policy, rather than with open force, to train out their enemies, and to lay a stale for them to entrap them unawares. For it had been an easy matter, that a few thousands should be overthrown, with an infinite multitude, if they had set open the city suddenly & at all adventures. But because we heard before, that all their hearts were melted, God provided for their infirmity, to lay no more charge upon them, than they might well bear, until they were recovered from that overmuch fear, and waxed more courageous to execute his commandments. It is true, that he used at this time their diligence, partly that they should not always gape for miracles, and so become slothful, partly that in diverse & unlike kinds of his working, they might always acknowledge the same power. But this special reason is not to be omitted, because they were not yet recovered out of their fear, they could scarce be drawn to an open battle: except the policy of entrapping their enemies had been added for a succour. Although the promise hath the first place: Fear not, because I have delivered it into thy hands: which although by the word, it seemeth to be directed to Joshua, yet doth it pertain to all the people indifferently: because it was most necessary, that they should all and every one be delivered out of doubtfulness, and furnished with new confidence. And whereas he commandeth the city to be burned, as Jericho was: he seemeth to grant that unto the grief of the people, that the remembrance of the dishonour they received, might be abolished with this revengement: but that they may take the journey in hand more willingly, he leaveth the spoil unto them, as a reward of their victory.