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…

And that they began not to fight, before the Citizens of Hai were shut both from returning, and from defence of their city: and that after the two armies began to fight, the other that lay in wait, arose and made such haste, that the flame of the city being on fire, was seen, when their enemies turned their backs, whereby they might gather, that their city was taken by the Israelites: but that the chiefest slaughter was made, when they that were in the city came forth & met them, for then they were taken on both sides, that they could make no more delay, either by resisting or fleeing. Therefore being half dead through despair, and brought into straits, they were slain on every side. But where it is said, that no slaughter was made in the city before they returned, which feigned that they ran away, I do so take it, that they joined their forces and rushed in, that they might gather the spoil, and kill as many as yet remained. If any man object, that it was burnt while the battle was in fighting: I answer, that some part was set on fire, that both the armies might know, that the Israelites had taken it, but not that it was consumed with fire, for they could not readily both gather the prey, and drive it away: yea carry forth the vessels and other household ••uffe, in a moment of time: and it had been unreasonable, wilfully to destroy the spoil, which God had given them. We see therefore, that the first fire was not kindled, to destroy the whole city, but that part which was on fire, was a sign of taking the whole city, although the Israelites entered, without any resistance, in at the gates standing wide open. And that is soon after confirmed, while the burning of the city is ascribed unto Joshua: not only because the city was burnt under his conduct, but because he returning from the battle, caused it utterly to be destroyed, as followeth immediately, that he made it a heap and a perpetual waste place.

And that they beganne not to fight, before the Citizens of Hai were shut both from returning, and from defence of their citie: and that after the two armies beganne to fight, the other that lay in waite, arose and made such haste, that the flame of the citie being on fire, was seene, when their enimies turned their backes, whereby they might gather, that their citie was taken by the Israelites: but that the chiefest slaughter was made, when they that were in the citie came forth & met them, for then they were taken on both sides, that they could make no more delay, either by resisting or fleeing. Therfore being halfe dead through despaire, and brought into streightes, they were slaine on euery side. But where it is sayed, that no slaughter was made in the citie before they returned, which fained that they ranne away, I doe so take it, that they ioyned their forces and rushed in, that they might gather the spoile, and kill as many as yet remained. If any man obiect, that it was burnt while the battell was in fighting: I answere, that some parte was set on fire, that both the armies might knowe, that the Israelites had taken it, but not that it was consumed with fire, for they could not redily both gather the prey, and driue it away: yea carrie forth the vesselles and other houshold uffe, in a moment of time: and it had bene vnreasonable, wilfully to destroy the spoile, which God had geuen them. We see therefore, that the first fire was not kindled, to destroy the whole citie, but that parte which was on fire, was a signe of taking the whole citie, although the Israelites entred, without any resistaunce, in at the gates standing wide open. And that is soone after confirmed, while the burning of the citie is ascribed vnto Iosue: not only because the citie was burnt vnder his conduct, but because he returning from the battell, caused it vtterly to be destroyed, as followeth immediatly, that he made it a heape and a perpetuall waste place.