What is the general scope of the two first chapters of this book? Ans. To shew how grossly the children of Israel failed, after the death of Joshua, to carry on the work of expelling the remaining natives of Caanan.
Did Joshua, like Moses, leave a successor?
What came to pass after his death ?
How was this enquiry probably made ? Num.27. 21.
What answer did they obtain ?
Why was the precedency assigned to Judah, rather than to any of the other tribes ? Gen.49. 8—10.
Whose aid did he solicit in this expedition, and on what terms?
Why did he apply to Simeon seeing his was the smallest of all the tribes? Josh. 19. 1.
What was their success, and where did they achieve a signal slaughter of the enemy?N. B. It is probable that Caleb had command of the forces employed in this enterprise.
What king did they here encounter and overcome, and finally take prisoner, and how did they deal with him?
What confession did they extort from him?
Does the punishment of sinners often bear a striking analogy to their sins? N. B. Pharoah, who ordered the Hebrew male children to be drowned, perished himself in the Red Sea, Nadab and Abihu, who sinned by strange fire, were consumed by a strange fire. Abimelech, son of Gideon, having slain his seventy brethren "on one stone,"was finally killed himself by a stone falling upon his head. Many other instances of the same kind might be mentioned. If men will transgress in ways not expressly forbidden, they should know that God can take vengeance in modes not expressly threatened, for the stores of his wrath are inexhaustible.
Where did he die?
Had Jerusalem been taken before this, and by whom?
Against what territories of the Canaanites did Judah next advance?
What is said of Caleb, and is this account found elsewhere? Josh. 15, 16—19.
Does this appear to have been the time when he obtained full possession of his inheritance? V. 20.
Who were the Kenites, and what is here said of their removal? Num. 10.29—32.
What place is meant by the "City of Palm Trees? Deut. 34. 3.
What other places did Judah and Simeon obtain possession of?
Did the Philistines afterwards recover these cities, and prove a great annoyance to the Israelites? 1 Sam. 6. 17.
What inhabitants did Judah drive out, and what ones did he fail to expel, and why?
Was the inability here spoken of, of the moral kind, and therefore such as to render their conduct in this business highly criminal? Joshua 17. 18. Mat. 17. 19, 20. Deut. 7.17—21.
What is said of the children of Benjamin?
What success had the house of Joseph in their attempts, and what circumstance is related V. 22—26?
When were the Jebusites finally dislodged from Jerusalem? 2 Sam. 5. 6—8.
What progress made Manasseh in the same work?
In what manner did the Israelites exercise their power over the Canaanites instead of utterly destroying them?
Was this contrary to the express command of Jehovah? Deut. 20. 16.
Are not the professed people of God in like manner, and with like consequences, often satisfied with a partial mastery over their lusts, instead of aiming at the complete extirpation of them?
What is said of the tribes of Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali?
Which of the tribes fared the worst in their struggles, and how were they assisted?
Did the encroachments of the Amorites and Philistines soon after compel the Danites to seek a possession in a distant part of the country? ch. 18.
What is the practical lesson to be gathered from this whole chapter? Ans. That all men professing godliness are to be assiduously employed in the spiritual warfare ; in subduing and crucifying the evil propensities of their nature ; in mortifying their remaining corruptions ; and that it is at the peril of our peace, nay, of our souls, if we suspend this combat, or fail to practise all manner of self-denial.
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