Commentary on Joshua - Keil & Delitzsch - David Cox

Keil and Delitzsch <strong>Commentary</strong> on the Old Testament
The different kings are given in the order in which they were defeated: Jericho (Josh
6:1); Ai (Josh 7:2); Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon (ch. 10:3); Gezer
(ch. 10:33); and Debir (Josh 10:38). Those given in vv. 13b and 14 are not mentioned
by name in ch. 10. Geder , possibly the same as Gedor upon the mountains of Judah
(Josh 15:58), which has been preserved under the old name of Jedur ( Rob. Pal. ii. p.
186, and Bibl. Res. p. 282). Hormah (i.e., banning) was in the south of Judah (Josh
15:30), and was allotted to the Simeonites (Josh 19:4). It was called Zephath by the
Canaanites (Judg 1:17; see at Num 21:3), was on the southern slope of the mountains
of the Amalekites or Amorites, the present ruins of Sepâta , on the western slope of
the table-land of Rakhma , two hours and a half to the south-west of Khalasa (Elusa:
see Ritter , Erdk. xiv. p.
1085).
Arad , also in the Negeb, has been preserved in Tell Arad (see at Num 21:1). Libnah
(see at Josh 10:29). Adullam , which is mentioned in Josh 15:35 among the towns of
the plain between Jarmuth and Socoh, was in the neighbourhood of a large cave in
which David took refuge when flying from Saul (1 Sam 22:1; 2 Sam 23:13). It was
fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chron 11:7), and is mentioned in 2 Macc. 12:38 as the city
of Odollam. The Onomast. describes it as being ten Roman miles to the east of
Eleutheropolis; but this is a mistake, though it has not yet been discovered. So far as
the situation is concerned, Deir Dubbân would suit very well, a place about two
hours to the north of Beit Jibrin, near to a large number of caves in the white
limestone, which form a kind of labyrinth, as well as some vaulted grottos (see Rob.
Pal. ii. p. 353, and Van de Velde , Reise, pp. 162-3). Makkedah: possibly Summeil
(see at Josh 10:10).
Bethel , i.e., Beitin (see ch. Josh 8:17). The situation of the towns which follow in vv.
17 and 18 cannot be determined with certainty, as the names Tappuach, Aphek , and
Hefer are met with again in different parts of Canaan, and Lassaron does not occur
again. But if we observe, that just as from v. 10 onwards those kings'-towns are first
of all enumerated, the capture of which has already been described in ch. 10, and then
in vv. 15 and 16 certain other towns are added which had been taken in the war with
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