Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

That they gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua,

and with Israel,.... Not at this time, but they met together to consult what was proper to be done in order to secure themselves, and their people, and put a stop to the successes of the arms of Israel; and for this purpose entered into alliances with each other to assist one another, or at a convenient time and place to join their forces together, and attack Israel, as afterwards they did, Joshua 11:1; and this they did

with one accord; were unanimous in their councils and resolutions; they all confederated together, and agreed as one man to make a common cause of it, and oppose Israel with their united forces.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord — Although divided by separate interests and often at war with each other, a sense of common danger prompted them to suspend their mutual animosities, that by their united forces they might prevent the land from falling into the hands of foreign masters.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

Together — They entered into a league to do this. Tho' they were many kings of different nations, and doubtless of different interests, often at variance with each other, yet they are all determined to unite against Israel. O that Israel would learn this of Canaanites, to sacrifice private interests to the public good, and to lay aside all animosities among themselves, that they may cordially unite against the common enemy.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Joshua 9:2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

Ver. 2. That they gathered themselves together, &c.] Herein they showed themselves far wiser than our forefathers, of whom Tacitus testifieth upon his own experience, for he had been in Brittany with his father-in-law Agricola, that nothing more disadvantaged them against the Romans, who conquered them, than dissension, that mother of dissolution. Seldom did two or three cities convene or combine: Ita dum singuli pugnant, universi vincuntur, and so when they cannot agree to fight together, they are undone together.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

They gathered themselves together; not actually, as the following history shows; but they entered into a league or confederation to do this.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

2.Gathered themselves together — It is not singular that rival and jealous States did not combine till the dread of a victorious foe, already in the heart of their territory, compelled them to unite for their common safety. Had wise statesmanship dwelt in their councils, their confederated hosts would have confronted Joshua on the banks of the Jordan. [

To fight with Joshua — How Joshua suddenly surprised and conquered the southern nations of this confederacy is told in chap. x, and how he subdued the northern tribes, and others who escaped from the south, will be found in chap. 11. Meantime the writer turns aside to narrate the league of the Gibeonites, which served as the immediate occasion of Joshua’s war with the five Amoritish kings.]

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

accord. Hebrew "mouth" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is said by it: i.e. one consent.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

They gathered themselves together to fight ... with one accord. Although divided by separate interests, and often at war with each other, a sense of common danger prompted them to suspend their mutual animosities, that by their united forces they might prevent the land From falling into the hands of foreign masters.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

gathered

2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Psalms 2:1,2; 83:2-8; Proverbs 11:21; Isaiah 8:9,10,12; 54:15; Joel 3:9-13; Acts 4:26-28; Revelation 16:14; 20:8,9

accord

Heb. mouth.