Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) — Chapter 46

Jesus the son of Nave was valiant in war, and was the successor of Moses in prophecies, who was great according to his name. Joshua (Greek: Jesus) was great \"according to his name\"—a providential fact that Lapide treats as pointing forward to the true Jesus who would lead mankind into the heavenly promised land, as Joshua led Israel into Canaan.

In his days the sun went backward, and one day was made as two. The great miracle of the sun standing still at Gibeon (Josh. 10:12-14): one of the greatest miracles in biblical history. Lapide refutes rationalistic explanations and defends the literal historicity of this cosmic miracle as a demonstration of God's sovereign power over creation.

And the Lord gave strength to Caleb, and his strength remained even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land. Caleb's extraordinary vigor preserved into old age as reward for his unwavering fidelity to God's command (Num. 14:24). Lapide treats Caleb's old age as a theological miracle—God supernaturally prolonging his physical vigor as a sign of divine faithfulness to His promises.

Samuel, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes in his nation. Samuel as the great renewer: he restored the Mosaic covenant, judged all Israel righteously, and anointed the first two kings. Lapide treats Samuel's witness before all Israel (1 Sam. 12) as the model of incorruptible judicial integrity.

And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life. Samuel's post-mortem prophecy to Saul (1 Sam. 28) at Endor: Lapide defends the view that God permitted Samuel's spirit to appear (not a diabolical apparition) to declare the final judgment upon Saul. He cites Augustine, Ambrose, and Gregory in a careful discussion of this controversial passage.