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…

8 With much riches.) Because we have seen before, that the ⟨p. 93⟩greatest part of the two tribes were left behind in their lands beyond Jordan, when the rest went over the river to go on warfare, it was meet, that seeing they lived in quiet with their families, or else were occupied about their own domesticall business, they should be content with their livings, and the fruit of their labours. And surely, it had been against reason, they should have required any part of the prey or spoil to be divided amongest them, seeing they took no pains at all, nor adventured themselves into any danger. But Joshua standeth not upon the extremity of justice: but exhorteth the soldiers, of their liberality, to make them partakers of their prey. Here it were out of season to dispute, whether the prey were common to them all, or no. For Joshua doth not simply pronounce, that it was of duty which he enjoineth them: but only admonisheth them, that seeing they were enriched by the blessing of God, they should not show themselves to be endued with humanity, except they were bountiful and liberal to their brethren: specially, seeing there was no fault in them, but that they were ready to have gone on the same warfare. But when he biddeth them to distribute, he doeth not exact an equal partition, such as is wont to be made among companions and equals, but by giving away some part, to take away the matter of envy and hatred.

8 With much riches.) Because we haue seene before, that the ⟨p. 93⟩greatest part of the two tribes were left behind in their lands beyond Iordan, when the rest went ouer the riuer to goe on warrefare, it was meet, that seeing they liued in quiet with their families, or els were occupied about their owne domesticall businesse, they should be content with their liuinges, and the fruite of their labours. And surely, it had bene against reason, they should haue required any parte of the prey or spoyle to be diuided amongest them, seeing they tooke no paines at all, nor aduentured themselues into any daunger. But Iosue standeth not vppon the extremitie of iustire: but exhorteth the souldiers, of their liberalitie, to make them partakers of their prey. Here it were out of season to dispute, whether the prey were common to them all, or no. For Iosue doth not simply pronounce, that it was of duetie which he enioyueth them: but only admonisheth them, that seeing they were enriched by the blessing of God, they should not shew themselues to be indued with humanitie, except they were bountifull and liberall to their brethren: specially, seeing there was no fault in them, but that they were readie to haue gone on the same warrefarre. But when he biddeth them to distribute, he doeth not exact an equall partition, such as is woont to be made among companions and equalles, but by geuing away some parte, to take away the matter of enuie and hatred.