Verse 1

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of a Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

(a) Which was in the plain of Moab near Jordan.

Verse 3

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, b Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

(b) Though the wicked see the hand of God on them, they do not repent, but seek how they may by their power and policy resist his working.

Verse 6

But she had brought them up to the c roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

(c) Meaning, on the house: for then their houses were flat above, so that they might do their business on it.

Verse 9

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your d terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

(d) For so God promised, (Deuteronomy 28:7) ; (Joshua 5:1).

Verse 11

And as soon as we had heard [these things], our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for e the LORD your God, he [is] God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

(e) In this the great mercy of God appears, that in this common destruction he would draw a most miserable sinner to repent, and confess his Name.

Verse 14

And the men answered her, f Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

(f) We warrant you on pain of our lives.

Verse 16

And she said unto them, Get you to the g mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.

(g) which was near to the city.

Verse 17

And the men said unto her, h We [will be] blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

(h) We will be released from our oath if you perform this condition that follows for so shall you and yours be delivered.

Verse 19

And it shall be, [that] whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, i his blood [shall be] upon his head, and we [will be] guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood [shall be] on our head, if [any] hand be upon him.

(i) He shall be guilty of his own death.

Verse 20

And if thou utter this our k business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

(k) So that others should think to escape by the same means.