Chapter Introduction
It is faith in our Lord that carries us through times when all our enemies are allied against us. Their numbers and weapons may be overwhelming, but they are no match for the will of God. We must battle within His will, and our faith will carry us through. We can be part of God’s incredible plan and works.
Joshua 10:1-5
Adonai-Zedek means lord of righteousness and is very similar to Melchizedek. Tsedeq was a Canaanite deity known in Jerusalem, a city of approximately one thousand. Adonai-Zedek heard of the Jews' reputation and what God had done. The treaty with Gibeeon gave them control of important areas of Israel. In addition, the mighty men of Gibeah were now fighting for Israel. This leads to the idea that they were surrendered to the Lord and would fight for Him. This sounds very much like the Christian life. When this king sets himself against God's people, he appears as a kind of anti-Christ or false lord from a Christian perspective.
Royal Cities were administrative centers that controlled large areas around them. They were strategically located and fortified to defend themselves and the surrounding territory.
Adonai-Zedek called on four kings to the southwest of Jerusalem in attempt to form a coalition that could push back the Jews.
- Hoham, king of Hebron. Hebron, formerly Kiriath-Arba, was a city of the Anikim giant clan (Numbers 13:22, 32-33). These were to people who struck fear in the spies and doubted God, leading to forty years of wandering in the wilderness. This city was eventually given to Caleb and became a Levitical city.
- Piram, king of Jarmuth.
- Japhia, king of Lachish. King Amaziah was assassinated here (2 Kings 14:19).
- Debir, king of Eglon
Adonai-Zedek was unsure if he could deal with Gibeon and Israel alone, so these five kings gathered together and went to war against Gibeon.
Joshua 10:6-11
This treaty with the Gibeonites was a little more than it first appeared. They seem to be devoted to Israel and its cause. They call on Joshua to come to save them from the Amorite coalition. Gilgal was across the Jordan, about 15-20 miles away by road. One source said it was an 8-10 hour march, up a 3300 foot ascent.
Joshua was faithful to honor the treaty. They came to the army of the Amorite coalition after marching uphill all night long. The Lord instructed Joshua not to fear that He would win the battle. The Lord routed them in a great slaughter.
Israel chased them along the road as they fled for home. Makkedah would have been about thirty-five miles from Gibeah. As they fled and descended from Beth Horon, the Lord stoned them with large hailstones from heaven. This happened all the way to Azekah as they fled towards their home.
God was faithful in delivering precisely what He promised. These hailstones were a supernatural event that killed more enemies than the children of Israel did with the sword.
Joshua 10:12-15
This seeems like something that would be asked for as the end of the day drew near. However, Gibeon would have been east. If the sun was over Gibeon, it was morning, or at least before noon. The same is true in regard to the moon over Aijalon. There are differing attempts at explaining this event:
- The Sun and moon stayed visible until the end of the battle.
- Joshua’s request was for continued light for fighting.
- Joshua was praying for an eclipse – viewed as an omen to frighten the enemy.
- Joshua asked for a celestial omen from God to encourage his own army and demoralize the Amorites.
Maybe the details of this event were written in the Book of Jasher. This book has been lost to the ages. Regardless of what exactly happened, Joshua made a bold request and God granted it, leading to the victory He promised them.
The Canaanites were utterly corrupt. When God dealt with them, it could seem harsh to us. To see God’s judgment as cruel would reveal our ignorance of their corruption and wickedness. These folks were the worst of humanity. The people and their sin had to be purged from the land.
See Habakkuk 3:11
Joshua 10:16-27
The writer now gives us some details of the battle. The kings were sealed in their hiding places while the remainder of the army was hunted down. Makkedah was near the kings' hometowns. If they were allowed into the towns, the situation would become more complex. Their enemies would multiply as the entire town would resist them and maybe join the fights.
Joshua and the Gibeonites put an end to the slaughter, and some made it to the fortified cities. The army returned to the camp. None of the Gibeonites complained against Israel. They had honored their treaty with Gibeah.
The five kings were retrieved. These men and their armies once struck fear in the hearts of Israel. Joshua had his leaders come forth and put their foot on the necks of these kings. This was a symbol of contempt and a display of being conquered.
Joshua reminded them not to fear but to maintain courage and follow the promise and direction of God. The kings were killed and then hung on five trees. The hanging was corpse desecration, a final act of humiliation against these kings.
“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.” (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
Joshua 10:28
The Amorite kings brought attention to themselves when they came against Israel. Then, they could not shake them. They would have liked nothing more than to forget it all, go home and live to fight another day. But that was not to be.
Joshua systematically destroyed Makedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. All the cities were apparently under charem, but it may not have been accomplished in some cities. Only a few note that they “utterly destroyed” them.
Horam, king of Gezer, tried to assist Lachish but failed. The kings were all executed, hanged on a tree, and buried at the gate of their city under a pile of stones.
Joshua was faithful to God's call. The Lord fought the battles and declared victory. All Joshua had to do was claim it. God could have wiped these people from the land by His power, but He chose to use His people.
Big Idea
As the conquering kings put their foot on the necks of the enemy, we can see a model of Joshua as a type of Christ. By the strength and victory of Christ, we conquer our enemy, sin and death.
©2006 Doug Ford, revised and updated 2008, 2015, 2024
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