9 Joshua did to them as the Lord had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.
9 And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
9 And Joshua did to them just as the Lord said to him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
9 Joshua treated them following God's instructions: he hamstrung their horses; he burned up their chariots.
9 So Joshua did to them as the Lord had told him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
9 Then Joshua crippled the horses and burned all the chariots, as the Lord had instructed.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 11:9
Commentary on Joshua 11:1-9
(Read Joshua 11:1-9)
The wonders God wrought for the Israelites were to encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war against Satan's kingdom, carried on by preaching the gospel, was at first forwarded by miracles; but being fully proved to be of God, we are now left to the Divine grace in the usual course, in the use of the sword of the Spirit. God encouraged Joshua. Fresh dangers and difficulties make it necessary to seek fresh supports from the word of God, which we have nigh unto us for use in every time of need. God proportions our trials to our strength, and our strength to our trials. Joshua's obedience in destroying the horses and chariots, shows his self-denial in compliance with God's command. The possession of things on which the carnal heart is prone to depend, is hurtful to the life of faith, and the walk with God; therefore it is better to be without worldly advantages, than to have the soul endangered by them.