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…

26 Joshua withdrew not, &c.) Because by holding up his spear, he gave them a sign & token, as it were out of Heaven to hope well of the victory: he ceased not to retain their minds, in the beholding thereof, until they had obtained the city. By which continuance he showed sufficiently, how far off he was from ambition: that he showed no token of bath ostentation and boasting. For it was as much as if he renounced the office of a Captain, and ascribed the whole praise of the victory unto God. How valiant a warrior he was, it appeareth by other places. And now he was ready enough to have played the part of a good soldier, and that had been more apt to get him glory and renown. But when his hand is as it were bound unto his spear, he doth only exhort his soldiers, that they would look to God alone, unto whom he resigneth the success of the battle. Nevertheless, he prevaileth more by standing so, still: than if he had overthrown great heaps of the enemies on every side, and this rest of his, was more commendable, than any agility that could be.

26 Ioshue withdrew not, &c.) Because by holding vp his speare, he gaue them a signe & token, as it were out of Heauen to hope well of the victorie: he ceased not to retaine their mindes, in the beholding thereof, vntil they had obteined the citie. By which continuance he shewed sufficiently, how farre off he was from ambition: that he shewed no token of baine ostentation and boasting. For it was as much as if he renounced the office of a Captaine, and ascribed the whole praise of the victorie vnto God. How valiant a warrior he was, it appeareth by other places. And now he was redie enough to haue played the part of a good souldier, and that had bene more apt to get him glorie and renowme. But when his hand is as it were bound vnto his speare, he doth only exhort his souldiers, that they would looke to God alone, vnto whom he resigneth the successe of the battell. Neuerthelesse, he preuaileth more by standing so, still: than if he had ouerthrowne great heapes of the enimies on euery side, and this rest of his, was more commendable, than any agilitie that could bee.

29 The King of Ai, &c.) Although it seemeth he was more sharp and severe, against the King of Hai, to satisfy the hatred of the people: yet I doubt not but his purpose was faithfully to execute the judgement of GOD. Conquerors are wont to spare the lives of such Kings as they have taken, because their dignity seemeth to draw with it some reverence: but among those nations the state & condition of the Kings was otherwise, in whom God would especially declare, how much he detested their wickedness,