Joshua 10

This second major section of the book records Joshua's southern and northern campaigns against two coalitions of kings from Canaan. Joshua's victories allowed Israel to settle the hill country from Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south.

Adoni-zedek means "master of righteousness" or "my master is righteous." An earlier king of Jerusalem was named Melchizedek, which means "king of righteousness" or "my king is righteous." He had been a priest of God Most High and a friend of Abraham (Genesis 14:18–20). However, Adoni-zedek was not a friend to Joshua or a believer in the Lord.

Gibeon and its neighboring cities were on a plateau (high flat place) north of Jerusalem (see study note on 7:2). With Gibeon now as an ally with Israel, Israel controlled the plateau and the central hill country near Gibeon. Historically, controlling the plateau often meant controlling the hill country. The kings of Canaan had to conquer Gibeon, or they would fail.

Gibeon was apparently not a royal city. It may have been under the control of Canaan. They controlled Jerusalem before Gibeon made a covenant with Joshua. Or Gibeon could have been an independent town led by a few leading families.

In the Old Testament, when it distinguishes between Amorites and Canaanites, the Amorite kings ruled the hill country, while the Canaanites lived in the valleys and the coastal plain.

Joshua had sworn to rescue Gibeon, so now he set out to do it.

God once again urged Joshua not to be afraid, assuring him of victory over Israel’s enemies (see also 1:9; 8:1).

• Joshua’s army marched all night to travel the 24 kilometers (15 miles) up difficult passes and steep slopes to reach the plateau. When the sun came up, they attacked the Amorite armies from the east. This meant the sun shone bright towards the Amorites as they faced east to fight.

• Israel's covenant required the nation to help Gibeon when it asked for help. However, Joshua acted even faster than the treaty required. By defeating the Canaanite army with a quick attack, Israel gained a strong military advantage.

It was about 64 kilometers (40 miles) from Gibeon, down the Beth-horon road, then south through the western foothills to Azekah and Makkedah.

Three miracles showed that God alone destroyed the Canaanites. These miracles were:

• supernatural panic,

• a severe hailstorm, and

• a day that lasted longer than normal.

• Joshua prayed for the day to extend so the Israelites could complete their task. This prevented the Amorites from organizing a new defense against Israel.

• The sun and moon, considered powerful gods in Canaan, were powerless against the LORD.

• Aijalon was a city near the western end of the Beth-horon road.

• The sun stopped in the middle of the sky: Not all miracles can be fully understood. This includes their purpose, their extent, or how they happened.

• the Book of Jashar: This was one of the ancient sources used by Israel’s historians. People in ancient Israel knew this book well. However, it did not survive as a separate document.

• The five kings: These kings led the southern coalition against God's people.

• Although the location of Makkedah is uncertain, it was in the same district as Lachish in the southern part of the base of the hills in the west (15:39–41). This was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Jerusalem. Limestone caves are common in that region.

By blocking the opening of the cave, Joshua reduced the number of guards needed to keep the kings from escaping. This also eliminated danger to the guards and freed more men to pursue the fleeing people.

• The whole army returned safely: This showed that Israel had few or no losses in this battle. This was a sign of God's presence.

• no one dared: The people of Canaan in the south now knew from personal experience that Israel's powerful God was fighting against them.

In the ancient Near East, victorious commanders often placed their feet on the necks of defeated kings. This action showed that the kings were fully defeated and under their control.

Joshua encouraged his men at Makkedah with the same words God used to encourage him before Israel crossed the Jordan River and before the battle of Ai (1:9; 8:1).

Joshua executed the five kings in the same way he dealt with the king of Ai (see note on 8:29).

He devoted to destruction everyone: See study note on 2:9–10.

Joshua led the Israelites through southern Canaan. They captured several important cities but did not burn them. God had promised that Israel would live in cities they had not built (Deuteronomy 6:10).

Libnah was probably about ten kilometers (six miles) north of Lachish. The exact location of Makkedah is uncertain, so the distance from Libnah is also unknown.

• Lachish was the most important of the six cities captured at this time. It was defended so well that Joshua needed two days to capture it.

• Gezer was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Lachish. Lachish and Gezer might have had a mutual treaty to aid each other.

Settlement in the hill country was sparse. The surrounding villages, which were towns with walls, could not remain independent. They depended on the kingdoms of the dominant cities for protection.

• Joshua’s southern campaign opened the possibility for the southern tribes to settle in the entire region when Israel began the settlement process.

• the foothills: See study note on Deuteronomy 1:7.

This Goshen was not the region in Egypt’s Nile River delta (Genesis 47:27). It was a town in the hill country south of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:51). The area from Goshen as far as Gibeon marks the eastern boundary of Joshua’s southern campaign.

Joshua and his army were free to return to their camp at Gilgal in the Jordan Valley. They then focused on the northern region of Canaan.