Joshua 2:22-24

"And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. Then the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had befallen them. And they said unto Joshua, Truly God hath delivered into our hands all the land; and moreover, all the inhabitants of the land do melt away before us."

"Amidst the grottoes of the limestone rocks, which in later times were the abode of many hermits, they could easily have sheltered themselves for three days."[28]

"The fords of the Jordan," mentioned back in Joshua 2:7, does not mean that adequate passage for a nation like Israel was located there. It is even doubtful that the spies were able to use them, due to the flood-stage of the river. Many commentators have expressed the opinion that the spies "swam the river," both coming into Jericho, and after leaving it. The Septuagint (LXX), also, seems to indicate the same thing, due to their mention of the spies as "young men," who would have been able to do such a thing.

The report of these spies to Joshua must have been a source of infinite encouragement to the Commander. Up to here, Joshua could have supposed that a military assault would be necessary, but, after this report, he no doubt sought to know the will of God by every means open to him. In these circumstances, God spoke directly to Joshua (Joshua 3:7) with specific instructions on how the conquest was to proceed.