111 Then it came about, when Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon and to the king of Shimron and to the king of Achshaph , 2 and to the kings who were of the north in the hill country , and in the Arabah -south of Chinneroth and in the lowland and on the heights of Dor on the west - 3 to the Canaanite on the east and on the west , and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Jebusite in the hill country , and the Hivite at the foot of Hermon in the land of Mizpeh . 4 They came out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore e , with very many horses and chariots . 5 So all of these kings having agreed to meet , came and encamped together at the waters of Merom , to fight against Israel .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 11:1-5
Commentary on Joshua 11:1-9
(Read Joshua 11:1-9)
The wonders God wrought for the Israelites were to encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war against Satan's kingdom, carried on by preaching the gospel, was at first forwarded by miracles; but being fully proved to be of God, we are now left to the Divine grace in the usual course, in the use of the sword of the Spirit. God encouraged Joshua. Fresh dangers and difficulties make it necessary to seek fresh supports from the word of God, which we have nigh unto us for use in every time of need. God proportions our trials to our strength, and our strength to our trials. Joshua's obedience in destroying the horses and chariots, shows his self-denial in compliance with God's command. The possession of things on which the carnal heart is prone to depend, is hurtful to the life of faith, and the walk with God; therefore it is better to be without worldly advantages, than to have the soul endangered by them.