John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him , etc.] Namely, in the following instances: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire ; not consulting his own worldly interest or that of the people of Israel, but the command of God, which he carefully obeyed, and reserved none for himself or them, as David in another case afterwards did; (see 2 Samuel 8:4).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 Divin 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 u for use in every time of need. God proportions our trials to ou strength, and our strength to our trials. Joshua's obedience in destroying the horses and chariots, shows his self-denial in complianc with God's command. The possession of things on which the carnal hear 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. (Jos 11:10-14)
Original Hebrew ויעשׂ6213 להם יהושׁע3091 כאשׁר834 אמר559 לו יהוה3068 את853 סוסיהם5483 עקר6131 ואת853 מרכבתיהם4818 שׂרף8313 באשׁ׃784