Joshua 11:6

“And the Lord said unto Joshua, be not afraid because of them, etc.] Of their number, of their horsemen, and of their scythed chariots; which might at first hearing occasion some fear and dread. And according to Josephus f228, the multitude of them terrified both Joshua and the Israelites; and therefore the Lord appeared and spoke to him for his encouragement: though what was said was for the sake of the Israelites, and to animate them who might be disheartened, rather than for the sake of Joshua, who was of a bold and courageous spirit. Whether this was said to him at Gilgal, and out of the tabernacle there, quickly after the tidings of the combination of the kings were brought to him, or…”

“to-morrow, about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel--As it was impossible to have marched from Gilgal to Merom in one day, we must suppose Joshua already moving northward and within a day's distance of the Canaanite camp, when the Lord gave him this assurance of success. With characteristic energy he made a sudden advance, probably during the night, and fell upon them like a thunderbolt, when scattered along the rising grounds (Septuagint), before they had time to rally on the plain. In the sudden panic "the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them." The rout was complete; some went westward, over the mountains, above the gorge of the…”

“Hough their horses - i. e. cut the sinews of the hinder hoofs. This sinew once severed cannot be healed, and the horses would thus be irreparably lamed. This is the first appearance of horses in the wars with the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 17:16 and note). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Hough their horses - Cut their hamstrings that they may my be unfit for war. For God forbad them to keep many horses, now especially, that they might not trust to their horses, nor ascribe the conquest of the land to their own strength, but wholly to God, by whose power alone a company of raw and unexperienced footmen were able to subdue so potent a people, who besides their great numbers, and giants, and walled cities, had the advantage of many thousands of horses and chariots. Joshua 11:7”

“11:6 God again urged Joshua not to be afraid, promising Israel the victory, even against horses and chariots. • cripple their horses and burn their chariots: God wanted Israel to rely on him rather than weaponry and equipment (cp. Deut 17:16; Isa 31:1).”

“Be not: Jos 10:8; Psa 27:1, Psa 27:2, Psa 46:11 morrow: Jos 3:5; Jdg 20:28; Sa1 11:9; Ch2 20:16, hough, Jos 11:9; Sa2 8:4 horses: Deu 7:16; Psa 20:7, Psa 20:8, Psa 46:9, Psa 147:10, Psa 147:11; Pro 20:7; Isa 30:16, Isa 31:1; Hos 14:3 Joshua 11:7”