John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab , etc.] Not merely because she kept a public house, or being a prostitute had often strangers in it, and so conjectured that the men he had notice of might be there; but he sent upon certain information that they were seen to go in there, as it follows: saying, bring forth the men that are come to thee ; not to commit lewdness with her, though this is the sense some Jewish commentators give; but this neither agrees with the character of the men Joshua had chosen for this purpose, nor answers any end of the king to suggest; nor can it be thought that Rahab would so openly and freely own this, as in ( Joshua 2:4): but what is meant by the phrase is explained in the following clause, which are entered into thine house : in order to lodge there that night: for they be come to search out all the country ; so it was suspected, nor was the suspicion groundless.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Faith in God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage ou diligence in the use of proper means. The providence of God directe the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one tha would be true to them, though they did not. Rahab appears to have bee an innkeeper; and if she had formerly been one of bad life, which i doubtful, she had left her evil courses. That which seems to us mos accidental, is often overruled by the Divine providence to serve grea ends. It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, agains whom her king and country had war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, Jas 2:25; and she did it by faith, suc a faith as set her above the fear of man. Those only are tru believers, who find in their hearts to venture for God; they take his people for their people, and cast in their lot among them. The spie were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained the out of regard to Israel and Israel's God, and not for lucre or for an evil purpose. Though excuses may be offered for the guilt of Rahab' falsehood, it seems best to admit nothing which tends to explain i away. Her views of the Divine law must have been very dim: a falsehoo like this, told by those who enjoy the light of revelation, whateve the motive, would deserve heavy censure.
Original Hebrew וישׁלח7971 מלך4428 יריחו3405 אל413 רחב7343 לאמר559 הוציאי3318 האנשׁים376 הבאים935 אליך413 אשׁר834 באו935 לביתך1004 כי3588 לחפר2658 את853 כל3605 הארץ776 באו׃935
