John Calvin Commentary Joshua 19:10

"And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families; and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid;" — Joshua 19:10 (ASV)

And the third lot came up, and so on. In the lot of Zebulun there is a clear fulfillment of the prophecy of Jacob, which had foretold that they would dwell on the seacoast. An old man, an exile who could not set foot on his own land, assigned a maritime district to the descendants of his son Zebulun.

What could be more extravagant? But now, when the lot assigns them a maritime region, no clearer confirmation of his decision could be desired. It was just as if God were thundering from heaven twice. The tribe of Zebulun, therefore, does not occupy the shore of its own accord or by human decision, but a divine arrangement fixes its dwelling place adjacent to the sea.

Thus, although people erred, still the light was always seen shining brightly in the darkness. Jacob goes farther, and makes a clear distinction between Zebulun and Issachar. The former tribe will travel far and wide, carrying on trade and commerce; the latter, remaining in his tents, will cultivate ease and a sedentary life (Genesis 49:13–15).

Therefore, it is probable that the seacoast where Zebulun settled was provided with harbors and well adapted for various forms of commerce, whereas the children of Issachar were contented with their own produce and consumed the fruits which they had raised by their own labor and cultivation at home.

Those who are thought to be very familiar with these regions affirm that the land of the tribe of Asher was fertile in grain. This is in complete accordance with both the letter and the spirit of Jacob’s prophecy (Genesis 49:20).

From the fact that only a small number of cities are designated by name, we may infer that there were then many ruined cities which were not taken into account. From the other fact that the people lived comfortably, we may also infer that they built many cities, and it is clear from other passages that the land was adorned with these.

It is certainly apparent that only a summary of the division is briefly touched upon. Thus, many things were omitted, which piety does not forbid us to investigate, provided we do not indulge in excessive curiosity that leads to no beneficial result.

There can be no doubt that those to whom twenty or even only seventeen cities are attributed had more extensive territories. Therefore, all we have here is a concise description of the division, taken from the general and confused notes of the surveyors.

The next lot mentioned is that of Naphtali, and it seems to correspond with the character and ways of that tribe. For Jacob had testified, Naphtali is a hind let loose; he gave goodly words. For this reason, they seem to have been adjacent on one side to the children of Judah, and to have been surrounded on other sides by the territories of their brethren.

Indeed, in the statement that the tribe of Dan took Lesen, there seems to be an implied comparison, because the children of Naphtali did not use weapons to force their way into their inheritance. Instead, they remained quietly in a subdued territory and thus enjoyed safety and tranquility under the trust, and, so to speak, the protection of Judah and the other tribes.

The capture of Lesen by the children of Dan, in accordance with the divine grant of it which they had received, did not take place until after the death of Joshua. But the fact, which is more fully detailed in the book of Judges, is here mentioned in passing because praise was due to them for their boldness and activity in thus embracing the right which God had bestowed upon them, and for so trusting in Him as to go down bravely and defeat the enemy.