Joshua called for all Israel (i.e., first)... for their elders... heads... judges, and... officers. — The first “and” in the English Version of this verse should be omitted.
And said unto them... — The address which follows should be contrasted with that in Joshua 24. The first is suited to men of education, authority, and position in Israel, and concerns the duty of the rulers; the second contains one plain lesson for all the people, and makes no demand upon their intellect, nor does it require any position of influence or authority to carry out the instructions which it gives.