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Joshua Chapter 10

Verses 1-11: Gibeon and 3 other towns (9:17), were attacked by a coalition of 5 cities. Israel came to the rescue, with God giving the victory (verse 10).

Verses 1-5: King “Adoni-zedek” heard about the treaty between “Israel” and “Gibeon” and was fearful that two such strong nations would crush his city (“Jerusalem”), so he made an alliance with four other kings to destroy Gibeon. These were city-states; that is, each city was ruled by its own king. This alliance actually helped Israel, because instead of waging war on five different cities, they only had to defeat one army.

Joshua 10:1 “Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek 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;”

So called, perhaps by anticipation, Jerusalem, since it seems to have had this name given it by the Israelites, when they had got possession of it. And Jerusalem signifies “the possession of Salem”, and in memory of this its ancient name.

“Had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it”: Which, being nearer to him than Jericho, the more alarmed him.

“As he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king”: Burnt the one, and slew the other. And this terrified him, lest he and his city should undergo the same fate.

“And how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them”: Which as it weakened the interest of the kings of Canaan, might set an example to other places to do the same.

“Adoni-zedek” means lord of justice. This name of the king of Jerusalem indicates that at some time earlier Jerusalem had been inhabited by people who did believe in God. They are now inhabited by the Amorites who are very definitely not pleasing unto God. This evil king has received word that Israel is headed their way. He has kept up with their exploits along the way. He has even heard of the alliance of Israel with Gibeon.

Joshua 10:2 “That they feared greatly, because Gibeon [was] a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it [was] greater than Ai, and all the men thereof [were] mighty.”

The dread inspired by the rapid conquests of the Israelites had been immensely increased by the fact of a state so populous and so strong as Gibeon having found it expedient to submit to the power and the terms of the invaders.

“As one of the royal cities”: Although itself a republic (Joshua 9:3), it was large and well-fortified. Like those places in which the chiefs of the country usually established their residence.

The king of Jerusalem is very angry with Gibeon because they have set a bad example for the other cities around them, by surrendering themselves to serve Israel. Gibeon was bigger and stronger than Ai. They had mighty warriors. If they could not defeat Israel, who could? The king of Jerusalem thinks they showed cowardice.

Joshua 10:3 “Wherefore Adoni-zedek 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,”

“Hebron” was one of the “central” cities in the southern hill country of Judah some 20 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem on the road to Beer-sheba. It is situated at one of the highest points (3,040 feet above sea level), on the central mountainous ridge and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Palestine. Originally Hebron was called Kirjath-arba (Gen. 23:2).

(Numbers 13:22), speaks of Hebron being built seven years before Zoan (Tanis), in Egypt. This probably refers to the rebuilding of the city by the Hyksos rulers of Egypt (1710 – 1570) B.C.). The 12 Hebrew spies viewed Hebron on their mission (Num. 13:22). Earlier, Abram spent much time in Mamre in the area of Hebron (Gen. 13:18; 14:1-13; 18:1-15). Later, Sarah died at Hebron (Gen 23:2). During the period of the conquest, Joshua killed the king of Hebron (verses 3-27). Later, Caleb drove out the Anakim and claimed Hebron for an inheritance (14:12-15). Hebron was one of the cities of refuge (20:7). David ruled from Hebron during the first seven years of his reign (2 Sam. 2:11). Absalom made Hebron his headquarters when he rebelled against his father, David (2 Sam. 15:7-12). The city was a key storage city from rations of Uzziah’s army (2 Chron. 26:10).

Joshua 10:4 “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.”

For which he thought himself not a match, not only because it was a great city, and full of mighty men, and had other cities subject to it, but because he might reasonably judge that Joshua would come to their assistance if possible, being in league with him. He sends to these kings in an authoritative manner, as if they were in some respects subject to him. And he proposes Jerusalem as the place of their rendezvous, and which it seems lay higher than their cities, though they were in the mountainous part of the country.

“For it hath made peace with Joshua, and with the children of Israel”: Their avowed enemies, and so had separated themselves from their countrymen, and from their common interest. And therefore it was thought proper to make an example of them, that others might fear to do the same.

There are several reasons these 5 evil kings wanted to come against Gibeon. One reason was they did not want the strength of Gibeon on the side of Israel. Another reason was to discourage any of the others from falling away. Another reason was their anger at Gibeon for doing this, and they wanted revenge. Adoni-zedek knew he could not defeat them by himself, so he got the other 4 kings to help him. They had made an agreement earlier to fight together against Israel.

Joshua 10:5 “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.”

The league with “Gibeon” was to be the propelling cause that opened the southern campaign for Canaan. Repulsing the Amorite thrust into Canaan’s center at Gibeon, the follow-up battles would take Israel into Canaan’s southland.

They were less afraid of Gibeon than they were of the God of Israel. They think they will be able to eliminate Gibeon and they will have that problem out of the way. They have forgotten their alliance with Israel.

Verses 6-8: Joshua had not anticipated that his treaty with “Gibeon” would be tested so quickly, but he immediately rallied his troops for the roughly 15 mile journey to come to their aid. Even though circumstances had changed since the treaty was signed, Joshua would honor his commitment. And because he was in the will of God, God promised to help him.

Joshua 10:6 “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.”

Which some think they did when besieged, and not before. Which showed their faith in the power of God, whom they now professed. But it is not likely that they should defer sending for help so long, since it is reasonable to suppose they might have heard of the design of the five kings against them. Or that they should be able to send out messengers when surrounded on all sides.

“Saying, slack not thine hands from thy servants”: They entreat that he would not neglect them, be indifferent to them, and delay to assist them, since they were his subjects. And were entitled to his protection.

“Come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us”: They did not doubt, if he made haste and helped them, but they should be saved by him.

The Gibeonites knew they were no match for 5 groups of the Amorites. They quickly send for help from Joshua.

Joshua 10:7 “So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.”

The language reflects the urgency of the crisis. Accordingly, Joshua made a forced march, accompanied only by his soldiers (Joshua 10:7). And accomplished in a single night the distance from Gilgal to Gibeon (about 15 miles in a direct line), which on a former occasion had been a three days’ journey (Joshua 9:17).

This was not because of any great love that Joshua had for Gibeon, but because of their agreement. This would also be an opportunity to eliminate 5 of their enemies at once. The Israelites had hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Joshua 10:8 “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.”

Either when upon the march, and while he was proceeding on in his journey to the assistance of the Gibeonites, or rather before he set out. And it is highly probable he consulted the Lord on this occasion. Having, it may be, some doubt on his mind, whether he should go to their assistance, since the league between them was obtained by fraud. And the words may be rendered, “and the Lord hath said”: before he set forward with his men of war.

“Fear them not”: The five kings, and their combined army.

“For I have delivered them into thine hand”: Had determined to do it, and which was as certain as if it had been actually done.

“There shall not a man of them stand before thee”: But be either cut off, or obliged to flee.

The LORD encourages Joshua that they will fall to Israel. God fights on Israel’s side and they cannot fail. Fear is the opposite of faith. God wants Joshua and Israel to have faith in Him.

Joshua 10:9 “Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, [and] went up from Gilgal all night.”

Armed with the Lord’s promise of victory, even an all-night march up from “Gilgal” to Gibeon would not leave Joshua’s forces too fatigued for fighting (verse 10). The miraculous arrival of great hailstones that killed a majority of the enemy was evidence of the Lord’s intervention (verse 11; compare Job 38:22-23).

The five Amorite kings had not planned on this happening. The “suddenly” shows they were not expecting Joshua and his troops.

Joshua 10:10 “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 Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.”

Disturbed, troubled, and frightened them, at the appearance and presence of the people of Israel. They were thrown into terror and confusion upon their approach, being so sudden and unexpected.

“And slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon”: By the Israelites, who came upon them suddenly.

“And chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon”: There were two places of this name, the upper and the lower, both built by Sherah, the daughter or granddaughter of Ephraim (1 Chron. 7:24).

“And smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah”: The former of which is placed by Jerom between Eleuthero-polis and Jerusalem, and was a village in his days.

This just says there was great loss of life of the Amorites at Gibeon. Those who were not killed at Gibeon, ran. They fled to Beth-horon, Azekah, and Makkedah. This would soon be known as the land of Judah.

Verses 11-12: There is no other way to explain what happened here: This was a miracle. The Lord designated on whom the “hailstones” would fall, and they fell on the Amorites and not the Israelites, killing more of them than Israel had in battle. This incident recalls many of the plagues in Egypt. As part of God’s miraculous help, we see the command; “Sun, stand thou still” (Hab. 3:11). In other words, the army had 24 hours of daylight to fight and rout the enemy. The integrity of God, which was demonstrated to Joshua in times of peace (1:30), was now demonstrated under terrible pressure.

Joshua 10:11 “And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, [and] were in the going down to Beth-horon, 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.”

The hailstones were miraculous. Note their:

(1) Source, God;

(2) Size, large;

(3) Slaughter, more by stones than by sword;

(4) Selectivity, only on the enemy;

(5) Swath, “as far as Azekah”;

(6) Situation, during a trek down a slope and while God caused the sun to stand still; and

(7) Similarity to miraculous stones God will fling down during the future wrath (Rev. 16:21).

This is not a rockslide, but is speaking of giant hailstones that miraculously fall from heaven. Things like this Scripture let us know beyond a shadow of doubt that God is control of all the elements of the earth, and the heavens. God has killed the enemies of Israel here. It is interesting that more were killed of the enemy of these giant hailstones that God sent, than were killed in the entire battle by Israel. It is also interesting that none of the Israelites were killed with the hailstones.

Verses 12-15: Clearly Israel’s “long day”, by which Joshua’s forces were able to defeat the enemy fully, was something miraculous and an answer to prayer. Various scientific and literary explanations have been proposed, such as the slowing or stopping of the earth on its axis, the prolonging of daylight by a special refraction of the sun’s ray, or the prolonging of darkness (e.g., by a solar eclipse or by the hailstorm), so the battle might be fought in the shade. But the best explanation is simply that the event was a miracle, just as the Bible presents it. Joshua’s poetical exclamation and the report of the miraculous victory were preserved in the “book of Jasher”, apparently, an early collection of poetic songs commemorating Israel’s heroic deeds (compare 2 Sam. 1:18).

Another view has it as only language of observation; i.e., it only seemed to Joshua’s men that the sun and moon stopped as God helped them do in one literal 24-hour day what would normally take longer. Others view it as lavish poetic description, not literal fact. However, such ideas fail to do justice to (10:12-14), and needlessly question God’s power as creator. This is best accepted as an outright, monumental miracle. Joshua, moved by the Lord’s will, commanded the sun to delay (Hebrews “be still, silent, leave off”). The earth actually stopped revolving or, more likely, the sun moved in the same way to keep perfect pace with the battlefield. The moon also ceased its orbiting. This permitted Joshua’s troops time to finish the battle with complete victory (verse 11).

Joshua 10:12 “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.”

In prayer, and entreated as follows, that the sun and moon might stand still, until the victory was complete.

“In the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel”: The five kings of the Amorites, and their armies (Joshua 10:5).

“And he said, in the sight of Israel”: In their presence, and in the hearing of great numbers, being under a divine impulse. And having strong faith in the working of the miracle, after related, and that it would be according to his word. He was bold to say what he did, being fully persuaded he should not be disappointed, and made ashamed.

“Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon”: Notice the great faith of Joshua, and the power of God answering it by the miraculous staying of the sun, that the day of Israel’s victories might be made longer.

We notice that Joshua spoke to the LORD in this. This is not some miraculous power that Joshua has, it is the power of the LORD speaking through Joshua. Notice he speaks to the sun and moon as if that is their proper name. They have initial caps. The sun and the moon were created to be containers for the Light. The source of all Light is the LORD. Joshua is asking for the light to remain until he can finish this battle. Scientists have now discovered that there was possibly a time when this very thing did happen. The sun and moon stood still at the Word of God.

Verses 13-15: “Book of Jasher”: Jasher means “upright”. It may be the same as the book called Wars of the Lord (Num. 21:14). The Book of Jasher is mentioned again (in 2 Sam. 1:18), and a portion is recorded (in 1:19-27). The book appears to have been a compilation of Hebrew songs in honor of Israel’s leaders and exploits in battle.

Joshua 10:13 “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.”

The sun that came out of his chamber like a bridegroom, and rejoiced as a strong man to run his course, stopped his course at once. And the moon that walks in her brightness proceeded not on, but both stood still.

“Until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies”: I.e. till they had utterly destroyed them, as is mentioned in the following chapter.

“The book of Jasher”: Either of a man so called, or of the righteous or upright, wherein possibly the memorable actions of worthy men were recorded, and this amongst the rest. And this book was written and published before Joshua wrote his, and so is fitly alleged here. But this, as well as some few other historical books, is lost, not being a canonical book, and therefore not preserved by the Jews with the same care as they were.

“So the sun stood still”: That the sun and moon did really stand still, is affirmed (Hab. 3:11).

“About a whole day”: I.e. for the space of a whole day. Understand an artificial day, between sun-rising and sun-setting. For that was the day which Joshua needed and desired, a day to give him light for his work.

Because (2 Sam. 1:18), refers to a lament (song of mourning), in the “Book of Jasher”, scholars believe this book was a collection of historical accounts put to music. No parts of it have been found.

It is normal for the sun to shine about 12 hours, so this would be assumed that the sun shone for 24 hours on this particular occasion. The book of Jasher is mentioned again (in 2 Samuel).

2 Samuel 1:18 “(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah [the use of] the bow: behold, [it is] written in the book of Jasher.)”

These two witnesses show that there was a book of Jasher. My own personal knowledge of this book is limited. It would possibly be a book such as the Apocryphal books. The sun shining twice as long this day as any other in history would certainly be classed as one of the great miracles of God.

Joshua 10:14 “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.”

Which must be understood as referring not to natural days, or such as are according to the natural course of things. As those in the northern and southern poles, which are much longer, but to miraculous and extraordinary ones. Never was there such a day as this, occasioned by the sun standing still. And as for Hezekiah’s day, which is objected, when the sun went ten degrees backward on the dial of Ahaz, it is not certain whether those degrees were hours, or half hours, or quarters of an hour.

“That the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man”: Expressed in prayer, and which prayer was a prayer of faith.

“For the Lord fought for Israel. By casting hailstones upon their enemies, and preserving them from them by the stopping the course of the sun, until they had taken full vengeance on them. The day on which this miracle was wrought, is conjectured to be Wednesday the eleventh of April, in the year before Christ 1454.

The LORD answered the prayer of Joshua and extended the light until the battle could be finished. This day is like no other in all of history.

Joshua 10:15 “And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.”

That is, he thought to have returned, had determined upon it, and prepared for it, but was prevented by hearing that the five kings had hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. Which he ordered to be stopped up till the people had finished the pursuit of their enemies, when he destroyed Makkedah, and which led him on to the conquest of other places before he returned.

When the battle was won, Joshua returned to Gilgal with all Israel.

Joshua 10:16 “But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.”

They were not killed by hailstones, nor slain by the sword of the Israelites, but made their escape, being reserved by the providence of God for a more shameful end.

“And hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah”: Not in the city of Makkedah, which as yet was not in the hands of Israel, whereas this cave was, as appears by what follows. But it was in some hill, or mountain, near it; in the border of it, as Kimchi expresses it.

Their armies were dead, so they fled to a cave in the mountains. Makkedah was in Palestine.

Joshua 10:17 “And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.”

Either by some of his own people, or by some of the inhabitants of the land in his interest, who had observed it.

“Saying, the five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah”: This seems to make it appear that they were others, and not Joshua’s soldiers, that found them. For had they, no doubt they would have seized them, and brought them before him, or slain them, unless they chose first to know his will concerning them, next expressed.

It appears that some of Joshua’s men had followed and knew where the kings were hiding.

Joshua 10:18 “And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:” Joshua had them imprisoned by rolling great stones to the mouth of the cave. There would be no way out, unless someone from outside freed them.

To keep the kings in, that they might not make their escape, until he had convenient time to have them brought before him, and be treated by him as they deserved. And no doubt there were plenty of stones about the hill or mountain, in which this cave was, fit for this purpose.

“And set men by it for to keep them”: As a guard upon them, to prevent their escape.

Joshua 10:19 “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.”

That is, do not stay at this cave, but having placed a sufficient guard there, go in pursuit of the enemy, with as much swiftness as possible.

“And smite the hindmost of them”: Their rear; or “tail” them, as the word is, cut off the tail of them.

“Suffer them not to enter their cities”: Where they would not only be safe themselves for a while, but would be able to hold out against a siege for some time, and give much trouble to conquer them.

“For the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hands”: This he said to encourage them, and quicken them to the pursuit of them with all eagerness and vehemence. According to the Samaritan Chronicle, the signal or watchword was, “God is strong in battle, God is his name.”

This had probably happened before Joshua went back to Gilgal. He was not going to allow them to get away. The troops followed them and killed them, until there were no more except for the handful that escaped. If they had made it to their cities, they might have been able to hide from the troops of Israel. They would not fail in destroying them, because it was the will of God for Israel to defeat them.

Joshua 10:20 “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.”

Joshua seems to have pitched his camp at Makkedah, while the rest of his army pursued the fleeing Canaanites, and when he and they were at different places.

“Had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed”: And not to be seen in any large bodies, but scattered here and there.

“That the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities”: To which they belonged, and which were afterwards taken, as related in the latter part of this chapter (Joshua 10:28).

There were very few that escaped. Those few fled to their walled cities and hid from Joshua and all Israel.

Joshua 10:21 “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.”

Sound and well, as not one killed or missing. So not one wounded, as the Vulgate Latin version, “sound and in full number:”

“None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel”: As to curse them, reproach them, and speak ill of them. For invading them, and using them in the manner they did, such was the terror that was upon them. It may be supplied, “not a dog moved” his tongue, as in (Exodus 11:7). As it was with them when they came out of Egypt, so it was when they entered the land of Canaan. It seems to be a proverbial expression, as Ben Gersom observes. Signifying that no harm was done to them by word or deed.

This is explaining that there was no murmuring for what happened. The fact that they returned to Makkedah, instead of Gilgal, shows this is relating what happened before Joshua returned to Gilgal.

Verses 22-24: A common practice in those days was for the victor to put his foot on the neck of a conquered king as a symbol of dominance over his captives. In the Israelites’ triumph, all the nations could see that God was stronger than any earthly king (Isa. 26:5-6).

Joshua 10:22 “Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.”

That is, roll away the great stones that were laid at the mouth of it.

“And bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave”: To receive their sentence in a public manner. For the encouragement of his troops and the terror of the Canaanites, particularly Makkedah, now besieged by him.

The 5 Amorite kings were brought out of their prison cave and brought before Joshua for judgement.

Joshua 10:23 “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.”

Opened the mouth “of” the cave, by rolling away the stones.

“And brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave”: Who are next mentioned by name, one by one, according to their dignity, and in the order, they were brought unto him.

“The king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. Who are particularly named for the greater glory of the conquest, and the triumph over them.

The names of the 5 kings are given again here, to show they are the same that started this war.

Joshua 10:23 “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.”

Opened the mouth “of” the cave, by rolling away the stones.

“And brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave”: Who are next mentioned by name, one by one, according to their dignity, and in the order they were brought unto him.

“The king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon”: Who are particularly named for the greater glory of the conquest, and the triumph over them.

Joshua 10:24 “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.”

“Feet upon the necks”: This gesture (1) symbolized victory and (2) promised assurance of future conquest (verse 25).

Verse 23 is repeated to show who the kings were and where they had been. It also brings us up to date about them being brought before Joshua. The kings had to be lying on the floor in front of these captains. To put their feet upon the necks of these Amorite kings, shows them that God has put their enemies under their control. This was to inspire the captains to go ahead and win all of this land.

Joshua 10:25 “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.”

In Joshua’s encouragement to Israel is the Lord’s encouragement for all His people: sometimes the battle gets fierce and it seems like the enemy is advancing, but a day is coming when the Lord will put His foot on the neck of all of His enemies, especially his arch-enemy, Satan (Psalm 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25-27; Rev. 20:10). Those who are allied with God will be victorious (Rev. 21:6-7).

This was to encourage them to have faith in God’s ability to put their enemy into their control. Christians should share their victories over the devil with other Christians to encourage them to have more faith.

Joshua 10:26 “And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.”

With the sword; either by his own hands, or by others whom he ordered to slay them.

“And hanged them on five trees”: To their shame and disgrace, and the terror of others.

“And they were hanging upon the trees until the evening”: By way of contempt of them, and as a spectacle of terror to others, especially to the inhabitants of Makkedah, and their king they were now besieging.

This does not say they died from hanging. We do not really know the method they were killed by. Joshua hung them out for all Israel to view. The entire army would be encouraged that God would kill their enemies before them.

Joshua 10:27 “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.”

Which was the time fixed by the law of God for taking down bodies that were hanged (Deut. 21:23).

“That Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees”: Not from any respect to them, but that they might not defile the land, as dead bodies in a ceremonial sense did (Deut. 21:23). And this Joshua was the more careful of, as they were just entered into it, and were taking possession of it.

“And they cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid”: So that what had been their hiding place now became their grave.

“And laid great stones in the cave’s mouth”: Not as a monumental pile, as in the instances of Achan and the king of Ai (Joshua 7:26). But to prevent their carcasses being dragged out, and eaten by wild beasts, as some think. Or that they might not be taken out, and buried in a more honorable manner.

“Which remain until this very day”: When Joshua was grown old, the writer of this book.

At the end of the day they had served their purpose, and Joshua had them cut down and buried in the cave they had hidden in. Joshua was strictly keeping the law in Deuteronomy as well.

(Deut. 21:23) “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.”

Verses 28-42: Joshua “utterly destroyed” all the nations he conquered, in obedience to God’s decree (in Deuteronomy 7:2).

Joshua 10:28 “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.”

After the final defeat of the five Amorite kings at “Makkedah, Joshua” pushed still further south and west in a great expedition that took him into lower Canaan. He took strategic cities far to the south and west of Jerusalem (verses 29-42), before returning to the field headquarters in Gilgal (verse 43).

Makkedah is not mentioned as one of the cities of the evil confederacy, but was friendly toward them because the kings hid there. All the people were killed male and female.

Joshua 6:21 “And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.”

Joshua 10:29 “Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:”

After he had taken it, and destroyed its inhabitants, and its king.

“And all Israel with him”: That is, all the men of war he took with him from the camp at Gilgal, from whence he went to the relief of Gibeon.

“Unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah”: A city that fell to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:42). Jerom says, in his time it was a village, in the region of Eleuthero-polis, and was called Libnah. According to Bunting, it was but two miles from Makkedah.

All Israel, is speaking of all the able bodied soldiers. Libnah became one of the Levitical cities in the tribe of Judah.

Joshua 10:30 “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.”

At once, no opposition being made that we read of.

“And he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, he let none remain in it”: That is, Israel smote it, or Joshua, and indeed both. And this was according to the orders given them to be observed with respect to all the cities and nations of Canaan. And that because of their abominable sins and wickedness, and to make way and room for the people of Israel (Deut. 7:1).

“But did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho”: Slew him with the inhabitants.

The troops of Israel totally destroyed Libnah. They killed everyone, as we read about Makkedah above.

Joshua 10:31 “And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:”

Which, according to Bunting, was eight miles from Libnah, and twenty miles from Jerusalem to the southwest of this city (see Joshua 10:5).

“And encamped against it, and fought against it”: For it seems this city stood out, and would not surrender at once. Which obliged Joshua to encamp about it, and besiege it.

The army of Israel moved from Libnah to Lachish. They seemed to be going from one city to the next destroying them.

Joshua 10:32 “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.”

In the various battle accounts, “the Lord” is given credit for the victory. He is the one who should receive glory for every battle won, both then and now (10:10, 19).

This is unusual to take a city in just two days, but we must remember that Israel had a very large army compared to these towns. In each case God had told Israel to leave no one alive. All the souls, means men and women were killed.

Joshua 10:33 “Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.”

10:28-43 Joshua made speed in taking these cities. See what a great deal of work may be done in a little time, if we will be diligent, and improve our opportunities. God here showed his hatred of the idolatries and other abominations of which the Canaanites had been guilty, and shows us how great the provocation was, by the greatness of the destruction brought upon them. Here also was typified the destruction of all the enemies of the Lord Jesus, who, having slighted the riches of his grace, must for ever feel the weight of his wrath. The Lord fought for Israel. They could not have gotten the victory, if God had not undertaken the battle. We conquer when God fights for us; if he be for us, who can be against us?

“And Joshua smote him, and his people, until he had left him none remaining”: Destroyed him and all his army, so that there were none left to return and relate their unhappy case.

Gezer was reported to have 14-foot-wide walls surrounding it. The destruction of Gezer’s army here is at Lachish. They came to help Lachish and were killed. This does not mean there were no inhabitants of Gezer who survived. It means the army that came to help Lachish died.

Joshua 10:34 “And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:”

Which, according to Bunting, was eight miles from Lachish, and twelve from Jerusalem southward, of which see (Joshua 10:5).

“And all Israel with him, and they encamped against it, and fought against it”: It not surrendering at once, but attempted to hold out a siege.

Joshua did not go to the city of Gezer from Lachish. He passed on to Eglon which had been part of the evil confederacy. Lachish and Eglon had been part of that confederacy.

Joshua 10:35 “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.”

The same day they encamped about it and besieged it; the besieged finding they were not able to keep it.

“And smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day”: Made an utter devastation of all its inhabitants.

“According to all that he had done to Lachish”: The last city he took. They having no king as Lachish had not, its king being one of the five that had been hanged (Joshua 10:26).

God was with Joshua, and it took only one day to destroy Eglon. Again there was no one spared. They killed them all.

Joshua 10:36 “And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:”

Which lay in the hill country, and therefore they are said to go up to it from Eglon, which lay lower. And, according to Bunting, it was sixteen miles from it.

“And they fought against it”: It making some resistance at first, and did not surrender at once, as demanded.

Hebron was another of the confederacy. Joshua had killed their men in their army at Makkedah. He now kills the rest of Hebron.

Joshua 10:37 “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.”

For though the king of Hebron was one of the kings that were taken in the cave of Makkedah, and hanged. Yet before Joshua came up to it, they had set up another king over them.

“And all the cities thereof”: For Hebron was a metropolitan city, and had other cities dependent on it, and subject to it.

“And all the souls that were therein”: Both in Hebron, and in the cities subject to it.

“He left none remaining”: In any of them.

“According to all that he had done to Eglon”: The last place he came from.

“But destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein”: But it seems that afterwards some that made their escape before the taking of the city, and other Canaanites driven out of their habitations, re-peopled it. So that after Joshua’s death it was recovered again by the tribe of Judah (Judges 1:10). Unless there is given in that place a more particular account of the taking of this city, with others at this time. But the former seems most likely.

This too, was totally destroyed. Joshua takes Hebron here. We will find in a later lesson that Caleb will retake it.

Joshua 10:38 “And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:”

A city, according to Kimchi, which he passed by when he went to Hebron, and did not fight against it. But, when he had taken Hebron, returned and took it; and which Bunting says was but a mile from it, and twenty-two miles from Jerusalem, towards the south. It is the same with Kirjath-sepher and Kirjath-sannah (Joshua 15:15; 49). The city of a book or books; and the Rabbins say, that with the Persians Debir signifies the same, and had its name from a library which was here kept.

“And fought against it”: It refusing to submit to him upon his summons.

This had been a frontier fortress of one of the five kings of the Amorites.

Joshua 10:39 “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.”

For this also was a royal city, and had others dependent on it; and therefore, must lie further from Hebron than before suggested. And indeed, Burchard says it was five or six miles from it.

“And they smote them with the edge of the sword”: The inhabitants of Debir, and the other cities adjacent to it:

“And utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein, he left none remaining”: And yet it seems this city recovered again, and was re-inhabited. And after the death of Joshua was taken by Othniel (Judges 1:11). Unless, as before observed, with respect to Hebron, there is a more particular account of the taking of it at this time. As he had done to Hebron, so did he to Debir, and to the king thereof.

“As he had done also to Libnah and her king”: That is, slew them.

God had commanded that they totally destroy the people of these cities, and make examples of their evil kings so no others would rise up in their place. Debir was destroyed as the other cities had been.

Verses 40-43: A summary of Joshua’s southern campaign (compare 9:1 – 10:43).

Joshua 10:40 “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.”

That part of the land of Canaan which lay southward, and consisted of hills and vales. Which abounded with springs, and was a well-watered country, and agrees with the description Moses gives of it, though he never saw it (Deut. 8:7).

“He left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed”: That is, all human creatures. As for the cattle, they were spared as a prey.

“As the Lord God of Israel commanded”: This law is still in existence (Deut. 20:16); and which is here observed to clear the Israelites from the charge of cruelty and inhumanity. Since what they did was not of themselves, nor from a private spirit of revenge, nor a greedy desire after the substance of the inhabitants. But in obedience to the command of God, and who ordered this as a righteous punishment of those people for their gross abominations of idolatry, incest, etc. (see Lev. 18:1).

This seems cruel, but we must remember that all of these people had their opportunity to turn to God and they did not. They also could leave no women living besides the men, because they would intermarry with those who worshipped other gods. We can see the purpose in this is, that God wanted them to be a holy separated people to Him. The lands they took, and the cities they destroyed had been given to them as part of the Promised Land. God had given it to them as long as they remain obedient to His commands.

Joshua 10:41 “And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.”

“Gaza was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines. It was about three miles from the Mediterranean coast, marking the southern border of Canaan. Situated on the great caravan route between Mesopotamia and Egypt, at the junction of the trade route from Arabia, to the tribe of Judah (15:47). But it was not immediately occupied (Judges 1:18), because the Anakim were still present in the city (11:22; 13:3). Soon afterward the Philistines recovered Gaza (Judges 13:1). Samson was humiliated in this city (Judges 16:21), but in his last heroic act he destroyed many Philistines (Judges 16:23-31). Hezekiah dealt the decisive blow to the Philistines (2 Kings 18:8). Amos’s prophecy concerning Gaza (Amos 1:6-7), was fulfilled by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. In (Acts 8:26), the Ethiopian eunuch was converted and baptized on the road from Jerusalem to the ruins of old Gaza.

This is an explanation of how far the land reached that they had taken in this war. We also must remember they were acting under orders from God to do this. God fought for them and they were able to take the land God had promised them.

Joshua 10:42 “And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.”

Tribute belongs to the Lord for all the victories, as “in everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Not in one day, but in a very short time. In a few days, as the history clearly shows.

“Because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel”: Which is the true reason of such quick dispatch being made. Otherwise in all probability much longer time must have been consumed in subduing them. The Targum is, “because the Lord God of Israel fought by his Word for Israel.”

“At one time” means during this one campaign. It probably happened over a period of a few weeks. We remember one city was taken in two days and another in just one day. It seemed they went from city to city while they were fighting. God was with them and they won without much difficulty.

Joshua 10:43 “And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.”

After all these kings and their cities had been taken by him, and not before, though the same is said, (Joshua 10:15). Before the history of those facts (see note on Joshua 10:15).

“And all Israel with him to the camp in Gilgal”: Where the body of the people were left, and where was the tabernacle of the Lord. And no doubt he and Israel with him gave public praise and thanksgiving there for the victories they had obtained over the Canaanites.

It seems from this, that Gilgal was home base. This was a holy war, commanded by God Himself.

Joshua 10: Questions