And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
The historian honours Caleb because Caleb honoured God by following Him fully. Joshua would not even favour his old friend without God's explicit command, for in every doubtful matter we must know God's mind and see our duty plain. Caleb's confidence in the Lord's presence did not deceive him; the giants fled before him, and their bodily strength could not sustain their courage.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 15:13-19
And Caleb said, he that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it,.... Which he ordered to be proclaimed through the army that was under his command; and which was done not so much on the account of the difficulty of taking the place, through the number of the inhabitants of it, and its fortifications, which it seems had fallen again into the hands of the Canaanites, since...
OTHNIEL, FOR HIS VALOR, HAS ACHSAH TO WIFE. (Jos 15:16-20) He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher--This offer was made as an incentive to youthful bravery (see on Sa1 17:25); and the prize was won by Othniel, Caleb's younger brother (Jdg 1:13; Jdg 3:9). This was the occasion of drawing out the latent energies of him who was destined to be the first judge in Israel.
Commenting on Joshua 15:16-20