Joshua 10:1-43
1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her 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, as one of the royala cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.
3 Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
4 Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath 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, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
6 And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are 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 valour.
8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.
10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
12 Then spake Joshua 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 thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
15 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:
19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.
20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.
21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.
23 And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
27 And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.
28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.
29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:
30 And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.
31 And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:
32 And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
34 And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:
35 And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.
36 And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:
37 And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
38 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:
39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.
42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
ISRAEL DEFEATS FIVE KINGS
(vs.1-10)
The news of Gibeon's treaty with Israel greatly alarmed other nations in the land, for Gibeon was considered prominent and important, so that the king of Jerusalem took the lead in enlisting four other kings to attack Gibeon (vs.4:1-4).
These enemies have vital spiritual significance. Jerusalem means "the foundation of peace," and is the center God had purposed for Israel to place His name there. But it was held by Adoni-zedec (v.3) which means "lord of righteousness," just as satanic deceit puts on a show of righteousness to deceive people. "Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers transform themselves into ministers of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan is determined, if he can, to prevent our laying hold of the truth of the Center of gathering, that is, the understanding that the Lord Jesus Himself is the one Center around whom His people are to gather, not a denominational name, not to a certain physical location or building, but to Him personally, as He says, "Where two or three are gathered together in, My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). How good it is if faith can displace Satan's deception, just as Israel displaced Adoni-zedec and took possession of Jerusalem.
Hebron means "communion" or " fellowship" and its king, Hoham, means "corrupt confusion of sound," for the world's fellowship has no calm, quiet peace such as does true communion with God, for the world thinks of fellowship as every voice raised in confused discord. Peter sat with soldiers at the world's fire and their so-called fellowship proved to be only confusion to him (Luke 22:55). True communion is seen in Ephesians 3:17. Faith may take this city and deliver it from the confusion that Satan has introduced.
The third city armed against Gibeon was Jarmuth, meaning "elevation," and its king, Piram is defined as "the wild donkey." False religion likes to elevate itself, but is it becoming that a wild donkey be put in a place of elevation? The wild donkey pictures man in his rebellious, independent state, yet Piram had control of the elevated place. Such pride must be taken down. Israel must displace Piram by means of humbling themselves, depending on God to exalt them in due time, as He does for every true believer, giving them a heavenly inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 2:6).
The fourth city, Lachish, means "walk as men," and the meaning of its king, Japhia, is "shining -- resplendent." Others will judge a person by the way he walks and one's walk is an important matter. But again, false religion puts on a show that is dazzling so as to deceive. The Lord Jesus did not do this, but He walked as a true Man amongst men, with no ostentation, no pretense, but in perfect moral dignity. Thus, believers are to displace a mere fleshly display by a walk of humble consistency, a walk of faith. "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind" (Ephesians 4:17). In fact, Ephesians, the epistle of heavenly places, puts much emphasis on walk, for if we truly appreciate our position in heavenly places, this will have a very real effect on our earthly walk.
The last of these five cities is Eglon, meaning "round, as a wheel." Its king was Debir, meaning "speaker" or "an oracle." Eglon pictures God's government, which grinds slowly but surely, telling us that God will always have the last word, for Christ is "the Amen." People may feel they will get their own way, and exert every effort in this direction, but God's wheel turns in a complete circle to bring back the past and face people with all they hoped was forgotten. Eglon therefore pictures the field of prophecy. How badly this has been corrupted by false "speakers" claiming to be God's "oracle." A sad example of this is seen in 1 Kings 22:6,where Ahab's prophets told Ahab that the Lord would deliver Ramoth Gilead into Ahab's hand, -- a totally false prophecy. Today, in the professing church there are many false interpretations of the prophecies of scripture, and Debir, "the speaker" should be fully displaced by the faith of God's people in faithfully declaring the truth of God's Word as to the future. Well mightEphesians 6:14 tell us, "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness."
When these five kings united together in proceeding to attack Gibeon, Gibeon sent a message to Joshua urging him to come to deliver them from these kings (v.8). It was certainly God who was behind all this, for in this way Joshua could accomplish the defeat of five kings at once. Let us observe that they ascended from Gilgal, the place of self-judgment (v.7). and the Lord gave His word to Joshua that He had delivered the enemies into Israel's hand, so that none could stand before them (v.8).
They marched all night from Gilgal and suddenly, unexpectedly, attacked the five kings and their armies. The enemy fled in confusion, for it was the Lord who fought for Israel and great numbers were slaughtered.
UNUSUAL SUPERNATURAL INTERVENTION
(vs.11-15)
It was not left only to Israel to kill the enemy The Lord sent a storm of large hailstones on them, so that more were killed by the hail than by Israel's army (v.11). Revelation 16:21 speaks of great hail, each stone being about a talent in weight, which is 129 pounds! Hailstones have been reported to weigh as much as 75 pounds when they fell in Arabia some years ago. But also, God answered the word of Joshua to him by an amazing miracle. It was the Lord who moved Joshua to speak as he did in verse 12 in the sight of all Israel, "Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and Moon, in the valley of Aijalon." This was done, so that the sun remained in the sky for about a whole day more than is normal. What an experience for Israel's enemies, who would be expecting darkness to hide them from further devastation. But the slaughter continued all that time, the power of the enemy being completely destroyed.
It is reported that a scientist at Yale University told another that he had discovered by scientific calculations that the earth had lost 24 hours in its course at some time in history. The other scientist knew his Bible and told the first to begin reading the Bible and he - would eventually find the answer to this. He did so and came toJoshua 10:1. But he returned to the second man and told him that now he knew the Bible was not true because he had calculated that at the time of Joshua the earth had lost only 23 hours and 20 minutes. He thought Joshua had known something of this and had resorted to deception in reporting his experience. However, he was instructed to notice that at this time in Joshua the sun and moon hasted not to go down for about a whole day. Told to resume his reading, he finally came to 2 Kings 20:9 and was astonished to find that Isaiah had given a sign to Hezekiah that the shadow on the sundial would return 10 degrees. This accounted for the 40 minutes that was short of a whole day. Thus the Word of God was proven true and the scientist was converted to Christ.
After the great victory over the five kings, Joshua returned with Israel to Gilgal. How important it is that we do the same thing when the Lord has enabled us to gain a victory. We deeply need the place of self-judgment then, to keep us from the pride that likes to glory in our accomplishments.
THE FIVE KINGS EXECUTED
(vs.16-27)
The kings of the five cities were evidently not in the forefront of the battle, but directing operations from a distance. They escaped together to a cave where they expected to be hidden (v.16). But they had been observed and the news was given to Joshua, who ordered his men to roll large stones to the mouth of the cave, with men kept on guard (vs.17-18).
These few were left while Israel continued to pursue their enemies and destroy them before they could enter their cities. Thus, the extra long day served to enable a sweeping victory, with only few escaping to seek refuge in fortified cities (v.20). Five of these cities were left without any king, however. The camp of Israel is now seen to be at Makkedah, farther west and south than Gibeon. Israel's army returned there, where the five kings were imprisoned in the cave.
When the stones were rolled away the kings were still there. Though they were alive they were not able to release themselves. In contrast to this, the Lord Jesus had died and His body put in a cave with a stone rolled over its mouth and soldiers guarding it. But when the stone was rolled away, His body was not there!
When the five kings were brought out Joshua told the captains of Israel's army to put their feet on the necks of these kings (v.24). For the stiff-necked, proud kings of the world must have their stubborn pride reduced to humiliation before the God of heaven and earth. Joshua told his men therefore not to fear, but be strong and courageous, for the Lord would in the same manner reduce all the pride of their enemies before them (v.25). The kings were then put to death and hanged on five trees until evening. Let us remember these were leaders in satanic worship, and when the day of God's judgment comes there will be no sparing those who have sold themselves to Satan. The sun finally went down on that long day, and the bodies were taken from the trees and returned to the cave with large stones again covering it permanently (v.27).
Verse 28 now adds that "on that day" (the long day of which we have read) Joshua took the city of Makkedah, completely destroying its king and its people. The meaning of Makkedah is "bowing the head." The five proud kings had been compelled to bow their heads there, but from Israel's viewpoint, when she took the city, is this not significant of learning the truth of willingly bowing our heads to the great God of creation?
FURTHER CONQUESTS OF CITIES
(vs.29-43)
These ensuing victories of Joshua evidently began the day following the long day. The second city that he conquers is Libnah, meaning "whiteness." False religion boasts in the claim of purity, but it is all on the surface, like whitewashed graves (Matthew 23:27), with the corruption of death underneath. But true purity involves separation from evil, no contamination being allowed. Thus, in picture, we conquer the city of Libnah by learning well the truth of sanctification
to God and therefore from all this contrary to Him. Libnah's inhabitants were also destroyed (v.30). Yet, let us observe that none of these cities were destroyed, as Jericho was, but captured.
From Libnah they passed to Lachish, which name we have noted as meaning "walk as men." Its army had already been defeated, now the inhabitants are killed and Israel captures the city (v.32). A true walk as men who honor God can only be the possession of those who are born again.
Another king, Horam, of Gezer, comes to the help of Lachish (v.33), Gezer means "isolated" or "cut off," and Horam "tumid or "swollen." Horam therefore speaks of the swollen pride that glories in its independence (isolation). The city itself is not spoken of as being taken by Joshua, for God is not seeking a place of isolation for any of His saints, but Joshua did destroy Horam and his people. However, we read in 1 Kings 9:16 that Pharaoh king of Egypt had taken Gezer, burned it with fire, had killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, then gave, the city to his daughter, Solomon's wife. Thus, it appears to be one of the cities that were not taken over by Israel, but indicates that there were still cases of independent isolationism in Israel after they had subdued their enemies. The same has been sadly true of the Church of God in her history.
Next, Joshua fought against Eglon (v.34) and took the city, destroying its inhabitants. We have seen that Eglon, meaning "round, as a wheel," signifies God's government, involving the field of prophecy. Israel therefore took possession of this, for prophecy can only be rightly possessed, understood and valued by faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith therefore overcomes the enmity of Debir, the king of Eglon and possesses his city.
Hebron was next attacked and taken by Israel (vs.36-37) on the day following the extended day. Evidently there were satelite cities connected with Hebron, and all the inhabitants were killed. Hebron means "communion" and only those who are of faith have any right to possess the place of true communion or fellowship. Satan expends every effort to keep us from this, but faith in the Son of God overcomes.
From Hebron Joshua and his army went to Debir, the name of this city being the same as the king of Eglon (v.3), meaning "speaker" or "oracle." This city too was captured and its king and inhabitants killed (vs.38-39). Those whom Satan uses effectively as speakers in his cause must be totally expelled and replaced by speakers for God. How good it is if we know how to silence the claims of false doctrine by means of the true doctrine of Christ. The establishing of Christianity in the world in the book of Acts answers to these great victories of Joshua, who is a type of "Christ in you."
In this great campaign of chapter 10 Joshua completely conquered all the Southland, the mountain country and the lowland, from Kadesh Barnea as far as Gaza and all the country of Goshen (vs.40-41). All of this he took at one time, but nothing could account for this except that the Lord God fought for Israel. This is likely the most amazing and decisive military engagement that history has ever seen.
At the end of this, which took so short a time, Joshua and all Israel returned to the camp at Gilgal (v.43). Military wisdom certainly did not decide this for him, but God's leading. The backbone of all Canaan's resistance had been broken, but instead of exploiting his advantage, Joshua sought the presence of God in the place of self -judgment. Here he would find renewed strength for future warfare.