Joshua 10

In this chapter, the kings of five Amorite cities unite to attack Gibeon, which had made peace with Israel. The Gibeonites call on Joshua for help, and God reassures Joshua of victory. A miraculous event occurs where the sun stands still, allowing Israel to defeat their enemies completely. This chapter demonstrates God's power over nature and His faithfulness to His promises.

Joshua 10:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it—as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king—and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,
2 that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty.
3 Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying,
4 “Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.”
5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it.

Hearing of Israel’s conquests, Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, fears that the Gibeonites’ treaty with Israel strengthens Joshua’s position. He gathers an alliance of five Amorite kings to attack Gibeon for its alignment with Israel. The coalition views Gibeon’s might and strategic importance as a threat to their dominance, sparking their united response. This scene sets up the conflict that will showcase God’s intervention on Israel’s behalf.

Joshua 10:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.”
7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.

The Gibeonites call on Joshua for help, recognizing that their treaty obligates Israel to defend them. Joshua responds promptly, leading Israel’s army to defend their new allies. The Gibeonites' plea reflects their trust in Israel's strength and God's favor on His people. This event also shows Joshua’s loyalty to the covenant, even though Gibeon had deceived Israel earlier.

Joshua 10:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”
9 Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal.
10 So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.

God reassures Joshua of victory, affirming that none of the Amorite forces will withstand Israel. With this promise, Joshua surprises the coalition by marching overnight, demonstrating his strategic wisdom and faith in God’s word. God directly intervenes, causing confusion among the enemy, leading to their defeat. This highlights God’s active role in Israel’s success, fulfilling His promise to fight for them.

Joshua 10:11-14 (NKJV)
11 And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword.
12 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon;
And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
13 So the sun stood still,
And the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge
Upon their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.
14 And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

God intervenes further by sending a deadly hailstorm that kills more of the Amorites than Israel's swords. This divine act underlines God's power over creation. Joshua, filled with faith, commands the sun and moon to stand still, extending the day to complete the victory. This miraculous event is recorded as unparalleled, emphasizing God’s unique response to Joshua’s prayer, demonstrating His sovereign control over the universe.

Joshua 10:15 (NKJV)
15 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.

After the battle, Joshua and the Israelites return to their camp at Gilgal, marking the conclusion of this victorious campaign. Their return to Gilgal signifies a temporary pause in their conquest, allowing them to regroup and prepare for further battles.

Joshua 10:16-19 (NKJV)
16 But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
17 And it was told Joshua, saying, “The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”
18 So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them.
19 And do not stay there yourselves, but pursue your enemies, and attack their rear guard. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand.”

The five kings, leaders of the Amorite coalition, flee and hide in a cave, but their location is quickly discovered. Joshua orders the cave to be sealed, trapping the kings. Instead of dealing with the kings immediately, Joshua prioritizes completing the battle, trusting that God has ensured victory. This practical decision shows Joshua’s focus on finishing the larger mission first.

Joshua 10:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Then it happened, while Joshua and the children of Israel made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they had finished, that those who escaped entered fortified cities.
21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. No one moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

Joshua’s army continues their attack, killing many Amorites, though some escape into fortified cities. The return of the Israelites in peace signifies the completeness of their victory. The fact that no one speaks against Israel shows the fear and respect they now command among their enemies, further establishing their dominance in the region.

Joshua 10:22-27 (NKJV)
22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave.”
23 And they did so, and brought out those five kings to him from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
24 So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” And they drew near and put their feet on their necks.
25 Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
26 And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening.
27 So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.

After completing the battle, Joshua deals with the captured kings. He has his commanders place their feet on the kings’ necks, symbolizing Israel’s total domination and God’s promise of victory over their enemies. Joshua then executes the kings and hangs them as a sign of their defeat. The stones sealing the cave become a lasting memorial of this event, showing God’s justice against those who opposed Israel.

Joshua 10:28-30 (NKJV)
28 On that day Joshua took Makkedah, and struck it and its king with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them—all the people who were in it. He let none remain. He also did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.
29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, to Libnah; and they fought against Libnah.
30 And the Lord also delivered it and its king into the hand of Israel; he struck it and all the people who were in it with the edge of the sword. He let none remain in it, but did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho.

Joshua continues his campaign, taking Makkedah and Libnah, cities of the Amorites, and completely destroying their inhabitants, just as they had done to Jericho. This conquest demonstrates God’s continued support of Israel, fulfilling His promise to give them victory over the land. Each victory serves as a step toward Israel’s complete possession of the Promised Land, with none of their enemies left standing.

Joshua 10:31-33 (NKJV)
31 Then Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish; and they encamped against it and fought against it.
32 And the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, who took it on the second day, and struck it and all the people who were in it with the edge of the sword, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he left him none remaining.

Joshua advances to Lachish, a significant city, and conquers it quickly with God’s help. When Horam, the king of Gezer, tries to aid Lachish, Joshua decisively defeats him as well, eliminating all resistance. This reinforces the fact that no alliance or external force can stand against the people of Israel when God is on their side.

Joshua 10:34-37 (NKJV)
34 From Lachish Joshua passed to Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it and fought against it.
35 They took it on that day and struck it with the edge of the sword. All the people who were in it he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.
36 So Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, to Hebron; and they fought against it.
37 And they took it and struck it with the edge of the sword—its king, all its cities, and all the people who were in it. He left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon, but utterly destroyed it and all the people who were in it.

Joshua moves from Lachish to Eglon and Hebron, continuing his relentless campaign. Each city is captured and utterly destroyed, fulfilling God’s directive to cleanse the land of its corrupt inhabitants. These swift victories emphasize Joshua’s military skill and God’s provision in helping Israel fulfill their destiny in the Promised Land.

Joshua 10:38-39 (NKJV)
38 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and they fought against it.
39 And he took it and its king and all its cities; they struck them with the edge of the sword and utterly destroyed all the people who were in it. He left none remaining; as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir and its king, as he had done also to Libnah and its king.

Joshua's final conquest in this chapter is Debir, which falls just like the other cities. The pattern of complete destruction continues, showing that Joshua is obedient to God’s commands to remove the corrupt nations from the land. God’s guidance and Israel’s determination lead to a comprehensive victory, with no city left unconquered in this phase of the campaign.

Joshua 10:40-43 (NKJV)
40 So Joshua conquered all the land: the mountain country and the South and the lowland and the wilderness slopes, and all their kings; he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded.
41 And Joshua conquered them from Kadesh Barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even as far as Gibeon.
42 All these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.
43 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.

Joshua's southern campaign is summarized, showing the totality of his conquest, stretching from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza. These victories were only possible because the Lord fought for Israel. The chapter concludes with Joshua returning to Gilgal, Israel’s base of operations, having fulfilled God’s command to conquer the land, bringing Israel one step closer to fully possessing the Promised Land.