Joshua 11:7

7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly, and they fell upon them.

Joshua 11:7 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 11:7

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against
them
Being encouraged by the Lord, they set out with Joshua at the head of them, to fight the kings and their forces. It is highly probable that these were not the whole body of armed men in the camp of Israel, but a select company Joshua took of them, and who would be able to make quicker marches on this expedition:

by the waters of Merom suddenly;
the Targum is,

``they lay by the waters of Merom;''

as they were thoughtless and careless, and not on their guard, Joshua and his forces came to them suddenly, unawares, and they not provided for them:

and they fell upon them;
at once, which threw them into disorder and confusion.

Joshua 11:7 In-Context

5 And when all these kings were assembled together, they came and pitched camp together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, "Be not afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel. Thou shalt hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire."

7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly, and they fell upon them.

8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them and chased them unto Great Sidon, and unto Misrephothmaim [or, Burning of waters], and unto the Valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them until they left them none remaining.

9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.