5 All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
5 And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
5 All these kings met and set up camp together at the Waters of Merom, ready to fight against Israel.
5 And when all these kings had met together, they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
5 The kings joined forces and established their camp around the water near Merom to fight against Israel.
7 So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them,
7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
7 So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them.
7 Joshua, his entire army with him, took them by surprise, falling on them at the Waters of Merom.
7 So Joshua and all the people of war with him came against them suddenly by the waters of Merom, and they attacked them.
7 So Joshua and all his fighting men traveled to the water near Merom and attacked suddenly.
(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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 11:5
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.