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…

15 And Joshua returned, &c.) This verse is interlaced not in proper place. For immediately after is annexed the end of the battle, and the punishment that was taken of the Kings, which followed after the battle. It is said also, that they pitched in Make-kedah: at length, in the end of the Chapter, is repeated, that which is here ⟨p. 55⟩said, without regard of the order of the time of their return into Gilgal. Therefore, that which is told of the fleeing and hiding of the Kings, agreeth with the history before. For when word was brought to Joshua, in the middest of the heat of the battle, that they were hid in a cave: he provideth wisely, least if he should have been occupied in taking of them, the rest should have escaped. Therefore he commandeth, that the mouth of the cave should be stopped up with great stones, & setteth men to keep them, that being enclosed as it were in prison, they might be drawn forth in due time to suffer death. And hereof it appeareth, that it was an exceeding great army, that when the Israelites followed fiercely at the backs of them that fled, & the Sun himself gave them leisure to kill them, yet it could not be avoided, but that many escaped into the strong cities. But this was sufficient to testify the goodness of God, that without resistance they slue as many as came in their hands, until they were weary, and returned without loss. For where it is said, that none durst stir their tongue, it is noted, that the victory was without bloodshed on the Israelites part: as if they had come forth, not to a battle, but to a slaughter.

15 And Ioshue returned, &c.) This verse is interlaced not in proper place. For immediatly after is annexed the ende of the battell, and the punishment that was taken of the Kinges, which followed after the battell. It is saide also, that they pitched in Mak-kedah: at length, in the ende of the Chapter, is repeated, that which is here ⟨p. 55⟩saide, without regarde of the order of the time of their returne into Gilgal. Therfore, that which is told of the fleeing and hiding of the Kinges, agreeth with the historie before. For when worde was brought to Iosue, in the middest of the heate of the battell, that they were hidde in a caue: he prouideth wisely, least if he shoulde haue bene occupied in taking of them, the rest should haue escaped. Therefore he commaundeth, that the mouth of the caue should be stopt vp with great stones, & setteth men to keepe them, that being inclosed as it were in prison, they might be drawne foorth in due time to suffer death. And hereof it appeareth, that it was an exceeding great armie, that when the Israelites followed fiercely at the backes of them that fled, & the Sunne himselfe gaue them leisure to kill them, yet it could not be auoyded, but that many escaped into the strong cities. But this was sufficient to testifie the goodnesse of God, that without resistaunce they slue as many as came in their handes, vntill they were wearie, and returned without losse. For where it is saide, that none durst stirre their tongue, it is noted, that the victorie was without bloudshed on the Israelites parte: as if they had come foorth, not to a battell, but to a slaughter.