Ver. 1. Now these are the kings.] Here we have the epilogue of Israel’s wars under Moses and Joshua; together with a catalogue of the countries which they conquered, and the kings whom they slew.
Ver. 2. And from half Gilead.] For the other half was held by Og. (Joshua 12:5)
Ver. 3. And unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea.] Otherwise called the Dead Sea, or Lake Asphaltites; the water whereof is so thick, saith Josephus, than an ox, having all his legs bound, will not sink into it; and so pestiferous, that fowls flying over it fall down dead.
Ver. 4. Which was of the remnant of giants.] Slain by the Ammonites. (Deuteronomy 2:20 3:11) Raphaims, they called themselves, that is, Physicians or Preservers; but indeed they were Zamzummims, that is, boisterous and abominable. Nomen inane, crimen immane.
Ver. 5. In mount Hermon.] Which is conceived to be the utmost part of mount Gilead, joining mount Lebanon and Gilead together.
Ver. 6. Moses the servant of the Lord.] See Joshua 1:1.
Ver. 7. Which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel.] A spacious and fruitful tract of ground, a country, which if God had fashioned the world like a ring, as he did like a globe, might have been the gem of it. But what was Canaan in its flourish in comparison of heaven, and of that city of pearl, the new Jerusalem, whither the Lord Christ will certainly bring all his people in despite of their enemies! they shall surely and safely sail, through Christ’s blood, into the bosom of the Father, and unto those mountains of spices. (Song of Solomon 8:14)
Ver. 8. [See Trapp on “Jos 12:7”]
Ver. 9. The king of Jericho, one.] In this one country of Judea—which was not above two hundred miles long, and sixty miles broad: not near the half of England, as good authors compute it—what abundance of kings find we, and what a huge multitude of inhabitants! So here in England of old, were so many cities, so many kings almost. When Caesar entered this island, Kent had four kings that ruled in it: viz., Cingentorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus, and Segonax. Hence Jerome calleth this island Fertilem tyrannorum, full of tyrants.