18:1 the whole congregation . . . assembled. See 8:35 and note.

Shiloh. Located in Ephraim, the city of Shiloh has so far not been prominent in biblical history, but here it becomes what was called in Deut. 12 “the place that the Lord your God will choose” (Deut. 12:5, 11, 18; cf. Jer. 7:12). In the days of David this role will be transferred to Jerusalem. For the role of Shiloh in Israel’s history see 22:12; Judg. 18:31; 21:19; 1 Sam. 1:3, 24; 2:14; 3:21; 4:3; 14:3; 1 Kin. 2:27; 11:29; 14:2; Ps. 78:60; Jer. 7:12, 14; 26:6, 9.

tent of meeting. This name is used for the tabernacle in the Book of Joshua only here and at 19:51 (“tabernacle” in 22:19, 29; “house” in 6:24; 9:23). The “meeting” is that of God with His people (1:5 note). The tabernacle contained the ark of the covenant, the wood and gold box containing the Ten Commandments (3:3; 4:16 and notes; Ex. 25:10–22). It was the place where the Old Testament sacrificial system for spiritual cleansing and communication with God was inaugurated, to continue in principle until the time of the New Testament.