Joshua 11:7

7 So by the waters of Merom, Joshua and his whole army came upon them suddenly and attacked 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 All these kings joined forces and encamped at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

6 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn up their chariots.”

7 So by the waters of Merom, Joshua and his whole army came upon them suddenly and attacked them,

8 and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them down and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. They struck them down, leaving no survivors.

9 Joshua treated them as the LORD had told him; he hamstrung their horses and burned up their chariots.