And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
11. And the children of Israel heard say, etc There is no doubt that they were inflamed with holy zeal, nor ought their vehemence to seem excessive in taking up arms to destroy their countrymen on account of a pile of stones.
And when the children of Israel heard of it,.... Of the building the altar in the above place, namely, the nine tribes and a half settled in the land of Canaan: the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh; where the tabernacle and altar of the Lord were, whose cause they undertook to avenge, being injured as they imagined by...
News of that altar spread instantly, and at first the tribes meant war, they saw apostasy and prepared to strike. But they paused, resolved instead to send inquiry first: the high priest's son and ten eminent men, one from each tribe. That such quality was sent showed how deeply they felt the danger to the worship of God and the unity of His people.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 22:11-29