1 When Adoni-zedek, &c.) That which he touched before briefly, he doeth now prosecute more at large, of the confederation of the Kings, which dwelled both in the mountains, and in the plain. For when he had said, that they were at the length stricken with fear, to take in hand the war in common: he breaketh off the speech, and passeth straight to the Gibeonites. And that which he spake of the Kings in general, now he referreth unto the person of one King: not that Adoni-zedek only was afraid: but because he stirred up all the rest, and was General captain, and chief governor of the war against the Israelites. And that is sufficiently expressed by the plural number of the Verb: When Adoni-zedek heard, they were exceedingly afraid: whereby it appeareth, that they were all of one mind: but because in this fear, the rest were slack, this man which was greatest in authority, and nearest the danger, called four other unto the wars with him. Therefore, in ⟨image 56⟩the beginning of the Chapter is repeated, how the five Kings joined in league, to fight against the Israelites, to prevent the danger that was equal to them all. But because the Gibeonites, in the mean time, had yielded them selves, they turned their force first against them, both that by taking punishment of them, as Traitors of their country, they might make them an example to all their neighbours: and also that by conquering them, they might strike a terror into their enemies, and encourage their own soldiers with greater boldness. Therefore, they determine to set upon the Gibeonites, which had made a breach by their embassage to make an open entry to the Israelites. And this was indeed an honest pretence of war, to be revenged of their cowardliness, which had rather to reach their hand to strangers that wasted all things, th•• faithfully to defend their neighbours. But the Gibeonites had now tried by experience, how unprofitable their crafty devise was, except they had been saved by the mercy of the Israelites. In the mean time, God suffered them to be in danger, that being twice delivered, they might more willingly and quietly submit themselves unto the yoke of bondage.
1 When Adoni-zedek, &c.) That which he touched before breefly, he doeth nowe prosecute more at large, of the confederation of the Kinges, which dwelled both in the mountaines, and in the plaine. For when he had said, that they were at the length striken with feare, to take in hande the warre in common: he breaketh off the speech, and passeth streight to the Gibeonites. And that which he spake of the Kinges in generall, now he referreth vnto the person of one King: not that Adoni-zedek only was afraied: but because he stirred vp all the rest, and was Generall capteine, and cheefe gouernor of the warre against the Israelites. And that is sufficiently expressed by the plurall number of the Uerbe: When Adoni-zedek hearde, they were exceedingly afraid: whereby it appeareth, that they were all of one minde: but because in this feare, the rest were slacke, this man which was greatest in authoritie, and neerest the daunger, called foure other vnto the warres with him. Therefore, in ⟨image 56⟩the beginning of the Chapter is repeated, howe the fiue Kinges ioyned in league, to fight against the Israelites, to preuent the daunger that was equall to them all. But because the Gibeonites, in the meane time, had yelded them selues, they turned their force first against them, both that by taking punishment of them, as Traitors of their contrie, they might make them an example to all their neighbours: and also that by conquering them, they might strike a terror into their enimies, and encorage their owne souldiers with greater boldnesse. Therefore, they determine to set vppon the Gibeonites, which had made a breach by their embassage to make an open entrie to the Israelites. And this was indeed an honest pretence of warre, to be reuenged of their cowardlinesse, which had rather to reach their hand to straungers that wasted all things, th•• faithfully to defend their neighbours. But the Gibeonites had nowe tried by experience, howe vnprofitable their craftie deuise was, except they had bene saued by the mercie of the Israelites. In the meane time, God suffered them to be in daunger, that being twise deliuered, they might more willingly and quietly submit themselues vnto the yoke of bondage.
