Joshua 10

The alliance against Gibeon (vs. 1-5)—I find it interesting that the kings of five cities—Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—made an alliance against Gibeon and not Israel. Who was the greater danger? But, apparently the five kings were disgusted that Gibeon had made peace with the Israelites, so they decided to make war against that city (v. 5).

The sun stands still (vs. 6-15)—Not surprisingly, the Gibeonites turn to their new allies for help. “’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’" (v. 6). And Joshua responded without hesitating (v. 7). The Lord assured him of victory (v. 8). Joshua made a forced march (v. 9), and a surprise attack upon the alliance of five kings, and “the LORD routed them before Israel” (v. 10). Jehovah helped Israel’s cause further by casting 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” (v. 11).

It wasn’t quite as simple, or as short, as the above summation implies. The battle stretched for so long that Joshua asked for an extended day: “’Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies” (vs. 12-13). This period lasted “for about a whole day” (v. 13). This is a notable miracle indeed, and commentators have made a big deal of it, trying to explain how it happened, etc. etc. etc., but God could do something like this in His sleep, so there’s no reason to go ga-ga over the thing. I don’t want to minimize any great act of Jehovah, I just don’t believe it was a difficult thing for Him to do, no more difficult than any other miracle wrought by divine power. Once the battle was finally finished, Joshua returned to his base at Gilgal (v. 15).

Death of the alliance kings (vs. 16-27)—When they had determined the battle was lost, the “five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah” (v. 16). Joshua made sure they stayed there by having a large stone rolled over the mouth of the cave (v. 18), and then once the battle was over, had them executed (v. 26). Such would serve as a warning to all of Israel’s enemies of the consequences of opposition to the people of Jehovah.

The southern conquest (vs. 28-43)—The remainder of the chapter briefly details Joshua’s conquest of the southern region of Canaan. He attacked, and captured, the leading cities of the area, including some which had joined the alliance against Gibeon. He took Libna (vs. 29-30), Lachish and Gezer (vs. 31-33), Egon (vs. 34-35), Hebron (vs. 36-37), and Debir (vs. 38-39). The chapter ends with a note on the extent of the land Joshua conquered.