And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
Ver. 25. And they took strong cities] With no great ado: like as towns are said to come in to Timotheus' (the Athenian general's) toils while he slept. This he ascribed to his own prowess and policy (Plut. in Sulla), often interlacing this proud speech, Herein fortune had no part; and from thenceforth never prospered in anything he undertook.
And a fat land] Flowing with plenty of dainties; though Strabo spitefully slandered it as craggy and barren.
And possessed houses full of all goods] Of all pleasant and precious substance; for the Canaanites were great merchants, Isa 23:8 Hos 12:7 Ezekiel 17:4 .
Wells digged] A great commodity in that hot country.
Vineyards, and oliveyards] A singular help to housekeeping.
So they did eat, and were filled] They had enough of everything, and did eat while eating was good; as they say Queen Elizabeth did seldom eat but one dish, rose ever with an appetite, and lived about seventy years. King Edward VI was wont to call her his sweet sister Temperance.
And delighted themselves in thy great goodness] They lived in God's good land, but not by God's good laws; the refreshing they found by his best creatures was none other but such as his, who "warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire," Isaiah 44:16 .