And Reuben heard [it], and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
Ver. 21. And he delivered him out of their hands.] Josephus relates his arguments, whereby he prevailed with them: as (1.) That God would surely see them; (2.) Their father would extremely grieve at it; (3.) That Joseph was but a child, and their brother; (4.) That they would bring upon themselves the guilt of innocent blood, &c. It was happy they hearkened to him. God would have it so: and he will ever have one Reuben or another, to deliver his. It is not in vain for some one to stand for God and his people against many adverreties. When the Pharisees had destined our Saviour to death, Joh 7:1 Nicodemus, though he had none in the council to second him, spoke in his behalf, Joh 7:51 and for that time frustrated their bloody intention. See the like, Jeremiah 26:24 .