As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, the LORD hurled down great stones from the sky on them to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the children of Israel killed with the sword.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. Azeca, for the space of twelve miles.—Hailstones, of an uncommon size, accompanied with thunder and lightning. Habakkuk 3:11. Joseph. verse 1. Calmet. Sirach 46:6.—Of the same nature was the seventh plague of Egypt. Exodus 9:23. Menochius.—Real stones may very probably have been hurled against the enemy, by means of some hurricane or vulcano, which God directed against the Chanaanites. Several instances of showers of stones are recorded in history. Calmet. Dissert.—Even quantities of stone and earth, sufficient to form new islands, have been thus thrown up. Montfaucon.—The isle of Santorin, in the Archipelago, appeared in 1707.