Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

Joshua - came unto them suddenly - This he did by a forced march during the night, for he went up from Gilgal all night; from Gilgal to Gibeon was about eighteen or twenty miles; and, having fallen so unexpectedly on these confederate kings, they were immediately thrown into confusion.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly,.... Which no doubt threw them into consternation and confusion:

and went up from Gilgal all night; he chose the night for secrecy and surprise, and that he might be the sooner with the enemy, and to the assistance and relief of Gibeon; and as it was about nine or ten miles from Gilgal to Gibeon, it was easily performed in a night's march; See Gill on Joshua 9:6.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly — This is explained in the following clause, where he is described as having accomplished, by a forced march of picked men, in one night, a distance of twenty-six miles, which, according to the slow pace of Eastern armies and caravans, had formerly been a three days‘ journey (Joshua 9:17).

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

See how the soldiers of Joshua encountered the fatigues of the night. And shall not the followers of the Lamb endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ? 2 Timothy 2:3.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.

Came suddenly — Though assured by God of the victory, yet he uses all prudent means.

All night — It is not said, that he went from Gilgal to Gibeon in a night's space; but only that he travelled all night; unto which you may add part either of the foregoing or of the following day. It is true, God had promised, that he would without fail deliver the enemies into his hand. But God's promises are intended, not to slacken, but to quicken our endeavours. He that believeth doth not make haste, to anticipate providence; but doth make haste to attend it, with a diligent, not a distrustful speed.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Joshua 10:9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, [and] went up from Gilgal all night.

Ver. 9. And went up from Gilgal all night.] He marched all night, and fought all day for these Gibeonites; of whose faithfulness he might well have doubted. They took not so much pains in coming to deceive him as he in going to deliver them. It is the noblest victory to "overcome evil with good."

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Though assured by God of the victory, yet he useth all prudent means, and surpriseth them. It is not said that he went from Gilgal to Gibeon in a night’s space, but only that he travelled all night; unto which you may add part either of the foregoing or of the following day.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9.Suddenly — Because Joshua believed the words of Jehovah he made a bold and sudden movement. Great faith is essential to a great captain.

Went up from Gilgal all night — He had marched over this route several times before, and was familiar with it. The distance from Gilgal to Gibeon was about the same as that from Gilgal to Ai, fifteen miles. See Joshua 8:9, note. This night march was a memorable prelude to the most astounding miracle of history.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

Joshua 10:9. Joshua came unto them suddenly — Though assured by God of the victory, yet he uses all prudent means. And went up from Gilgal — all night — It is not said that he went from Gilgal to Gibeon in a night’s space, but only that he travelled all night; unto which you may add part either of the foregoing or of the following day. It is true, God had promised that he would, without fail, deliver the enemies into his hand. But God’s promises are intended, not to slacken, but to quicken our endeavours. He that believeth, doth not make haste to anticipate providence; but doth make haste to attend it, with a diligent, not a distrustful speed.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.

Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly. This is explained in the following clause, where he is described as having accomplished, by a forced march of picked men, in one night a distance of 26 miles, which, according to the slow pace of Eastern armies and caravans, had formerly been a three days' journey (Joshua 9:17), and he probably came upon their camp at daybreak, when they were taken by surprise.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) And went up.—Better thus, And Joshua came upon them suddenly; (for) all the night he had marched (come up) from Gilgal. The expression “went up” is geographically correct, because the line of march from Gilgal to Gibeon is an ascent the whole way.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

all night

1 Samuel 11:9-11; Proverbs 22:29; 24:11,12; Ecclesiastes 9:10; 2 Timothy 2:3; 4:2