And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
God hardened these northern kings to begin the war themselves, so that Israel would be justified beyond exception in destroying them. Sinners bring ruin upon their own heads; the Lord will be vindicated, and they alone shall bear the blame forever.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 11:1-9
And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him,.... Namely, in the following instances: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire; not consulting his own worldly interest or that of the people of Israel, but the command of God, which he carefully obeyed, and reserved none for himself or them, as David in another case afterwards did; see Sa2 8:4.
Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him--(See Jos 11:6). Houghing the horses is done by cutting the sinews and arteries of their hinder legs, so that they not only become hopelessly lame, but bleed to death. The reasons for this special command were that the Lord designed to lead the Israelites to trust in Him, not in military resources (Psa 20:7); to show...