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…

9 So the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, returned, and departed from the children of Israel, from Shiloh (which is in the land of Canaan) to go unto their country of Gilead, to the land of the possession, which they had obtained, according to the word of the Lord, by the hand of Moses.

9 So the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh, returned, and departed from the children of Israel, from Shiloh (which is in the land of Chanaan) to goe vnto their countrie of Gilead, to the land of the possession, which they had obteined, according to the worde of the Lorde, by the hand of Moses.

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.