After many days, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from their enemies all around, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Long time. Josue governed only ten years after the distribution of the land. Towards the close of his life, perceiving that the Israelites were too indolent in subduing the people of the country, and fearing lest they should by degrees begin to imitate their corrupt manners, he called a general assembly either at his own city, or at Silo, or more probably at Sichem, (as it is mentioned Calmet. 24:1, which seems to give farther particulars of this assembly) and laid before his people, in the strongest terms, the dangers to which they would be exposed, by entertaining a friendship for the enemies of God, and by abandoning him. Calmet.—He called together all the heads of the people. Menochius.