Joshua 11:7

7 So Joshua came suddenly upon them with all his people of war, by the waters of Merom, and 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 all these kings joined their forces, and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

6 And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel; you shall hamstring their horses, and burn their chariots with fire."

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

8 And the LORD gave them into the hand of Israel, who smote them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Mis'rephoth-ma'im, and eastward as far as the valley of Mizpeh; and they smote them, until they left none remaining.

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