1 Then Joshua, &c.) Here is reported the discharging of the two tribes & an half, which followed the rest of the people, not that they should conquer any thing for them selves: but because they had already obtained houses and lands without casting of lots, that they might hold out the common war with their brethren, until they also had obtained their quiet inheritance. Now, because they have been faithful companions and helpers unto their brethren: Joshua pronounceth, that they have served out their full time, and so sendeth them home discharged and at liberty. Yet it may be demanded, how he judgeth them to have accomplished their lawful time of warfare, when as yet a part of the land was possessed ⟨image 96⟩by the enemies, the only possession whereof ought to have made a perfect end of that war. But if we call to mind that, which I said before, this knot would be easy to loose. If they had followed the calling of God, and been obedient to his power: yea, if they had not shamefully drawn back, when he reached out his hand to help them, they might easily, without any danger, and with small trouble, have dispatched the remnants of that war. Therefore, through their own sloth fullness they refused that, which God of his liberality was ready to have given them. And so it came to pass, that the covenant was fulfilled, whereby the two tribes and the half had bound themselves. For they bound themselves no otherwise, but to accompany the ten tribes, and to fight as manfully for their inheritance, as they would have done for their own. Now, seeing they have continually showed themselves faithful companions, and the ten tribes being content with their present estate do not require, but rather do secretly refuse their further aide, they are by right permitted to return freely unto their own. And their patience is worthy of commendation, that they are not moved with any weariness to make suit for their discharge, but tarry quietly, until Joshua himself of his own accord do send for them.
1 Then Iosue, &c.) Here is reported the discharging of the two tribes & an halfe, which followed the rest of the people, not that they should conquere any thing for them selues: but because they had alredie obteined houses and landes without casting of lottes, that they might holde out the common warre with their brethren, vntill they also had obteined their quiet inheritaunce. Now, because they haue bene faithfull companions and helpers vnto their brethren: Iosue pronounceth, that they haue serued out their full time, and so sendeth them home discharged and at libertie. Yet it may be demaunded, howe he iudgeth them to haue accomplished their lawfull time of warrefare, when as yet a parte of the lande was possessed ⟨image 96⟩by the enimies, the onely possession whereof ought to haue made a perfect end of that warre. But if we call to minde that, which I saied before, this knot would be easie to loose. If they had followed the calling of God, and bene obedient to his power: yea, if they had not shamefully drawen backe, when he reached out his hand to helpe them, they might easily, without any danger, and with small trouble, haue dispatched the remnantes of that warre. Therefore, through their owne slouth fulnesse they refused that, which God of his liberalitie was readie to haue geuen them. And so it came to passe, that the couenaunt was fulfilled, whereby the two tribes and the halfe had bound themselues. For they bound themselues no otherwise, but to accompanie the ten tribes, and to fight as manfully for their inheritaunce, as they would haue done for their owne. Now, seeing they haue continually shewed themselues faithfull companions, and the ten tribes being content with their present estate doe not require, but rather doe secreatly refuse their further aide, they are by right permitted to returne freely vnto their owne. And their patience is worthie of commendation, that they are not moued with any wearinesse to make sute for their discharge, but tarrie quietly, vntill Iosue himselfe of his owne accord doe send for them.
