Matthew Henry on Joshua 1:16–end
This answer was given not by the two tribes and a half only (though they are spoken of immediately before), but by the officers of all the people (Jos 1:10), as their representatives, concurring with the divine appointment, by which Joshua was set over them, and they did it heartily, and with a great deal of cheerfulness and resolution.
I. They promise him obedience (v. 16), not only as subjects to their prince, but as soldiers to their general, of whose particular orders they are to be observant. He that hath soldiers under him saith to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh, Mat 8:9. Thus the people of Joshua; "All that thou commandest us we will readily do, withou…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 1:14
ye shall pass . . . armed--that is, officered or marshalled under five leaders in the old and approved caravan order (see on Exo 13:18).
all the mighty men of valour--The words are not to be interpreted strictly as meaning the whole, but only the flower or choice of the fighting men (see on Jos 4:12).
Next: Joshua Chapter 2
Adam Clarke on Joshua 1:16
All that thou commandest us we will do - Here they acknowledge the Divine mission of Joshua, as they had done that of Moses, and consequently promise to follow his directions in all things.
John Gill on Joshua 1:16
And they answered Joshua,.... The two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, the heads of them, such as were deputed for that purpose, and were their mouths to him:
saying, all that thou commandest we will do; with respect to this affair of going over Jordan with their brethren, to assist them in the conquest of the land of Canaan:
and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go; in what position he would have them be in the army, and to whatsoever part of the country he should send them to subdue, and to whatsoever city he should order them to besiege.
John Calvin
