And said unto them, ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you,.... Which was, that they should leave their wives and children, and flocks, and herds, behind them in the land of Gilead, and pass over Jordan, with their brethren the children of Israel armed, and fight with them, and for them, until the Canaanites were subdued, and not return until their brethren were peaceably settled in the possession of their inheritances; all which they had punctually observed, and inviolably kept, as they agreed to, Numbers 32:1,

and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you; as the generalissimo and commander in chief of the Israelitish forces; as what rank and position to be in, what part to take in an engagement, what attack to make, when and where, or on what expedition to go; wherever he ordered them to go, they went; and upon whatsoever and wheresoever he sent them, they readily and cheerfully obeyed, as they promised, Joshua 1:16; and approved themselves as good soldiers under him; for all which he commends them, and gives them military honour.

Joshua acknowledged that they had done all that they were under any obligation to do towards Moses and himself (Numbers 32:20.; Joshua 1:16-17). "Kept the charge of the commandment," i.e., observed what had to be observed in relation to the commandment of the Lord (see at Leviticus 8:35 and Genesis 26:5).

And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD {b} commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:

(b) Which was to go armed before their brethren, Nu 32:29.

22:1-9 Joshua dismisses the tribes with good counsel. Those who have the commandment have it in vain, unless they do the commandment; and it will not be done aright unless we take diligent heed. In particular to love the Lord our God, as the best of beings, and the best of friends; and as far as that principle rules in the heart, there will be constant care and endeavour to walk in his ways, even those that are narrow and up-hill. In every instance to keep his commandments. At all times, and in all conditions, with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, and to serve him and his kingdom among men, with all our heart, and with all our soul. This good counsel is given to all; may God give us grace to take it!