In his dayes] Before which, for the space of more then five hundred yeers, none durst attempt that work, upon which there lay so fearfull a curse. If it were done with his knowledge and consent, surely he too much slighted Gods threatning. If without his consent, yet was it a judgement even on him, that such a thing should be done in his dayes. Beth-elite] So called, because he was an inhabitant of Bethel, that idolatrous city. Jericho] An accursed city: the first of all Canaan that was destroyed, and that miraculously, Joshua 6:20. God would have the ruines thereof remain as a monument of his power, and of the curse that lay upon it. in his first born] When he first began this forbidden work, his eldest son and heir died: and in the finishing of it, his youngest son died: and as probably may be gathered from the curse, in Joshua 6:26. by some casualty in laying the foundation and setting up the gates. So as it is likely that he destroyed his living house by erecting this cursed city. according to the word] Compare, Joshua 6:26. with this verse, and you may finde Gods threatning accomplished in the particular circumstances thereof. by] Or, by the hand.