John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And they returned unto Joshua, and said unto him, let not all the people go up , etc.] After they had reconnoitred the place, they came back to their general, and gave it as their opinion, that there was no need for the whole army to go up against the city: but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai ; such a number they judged were sufficient to take it: [and] make not all the people to labour thither ; carrying their tents, bearing their armour, and going up hill: for they [are but] few ; the inhabitants of Ai, men and women making but twelve thousand; ( Joshua 8:25).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho. The love of the world is tha root of bitterness, which of all others is most hardly rooted up. We should take heed of sin ourselves, lest by it many be defiled of disquieted, Heb 12:15; and take heed of having fellowship with sinners lest we share their guilt. It concerns us to watch over one another to prevent sin, because others' sins may be to our damage. The eas conquest of Jericho excited contempt of the enemy, and a disposition to expect the Lord to do all for them without their using proper means Thus men abuse the doctrines of Divine grace, and the promises of God into excuses for their own sloth and self-indulgence. We are to wor out our own salvation, though it is God that works in us. It was a dea victory to the Canaanites, whereby Israel was awakened and reformed and reconciled to their God, and the people of Canaan hardened to their own ruin.
Original Hebrew וישׁבו7725 אל413 יהושׁע3091 ויאמרו559 אליו413 אל408 יעל5927 כל3605 העם5971 כאלפים505 אישׁ376 או176 כשׁלשׁת7969 אלפים505 אישׁ376 יעלו5927 ויכו5221 את853 העי5857 אל408 תיגע3021 שׁמה8033 את853 כל3605 העם5971 כי3588 מעט4592 המה׃1992
