March 25: Joshua 10:1 – 12:6

The Sun Stands Still – Joshua 10

• Adoni-zedek, the king of Jerusalem, learns that Joshua had captured and destroyed Ai, just as he had Jericho, and that he made peace with the Gibeonites. He and his people are afraid, so he sends messengers to other kings in the area, asking them to help him destroy Gibeon. All of the kings move their troops into place to attack.
• The men of Gibeon send messengers to Joshua, begging him to come protect them.
• Joshua and his army leave Gilgal for Gibeon. God tells Joshua not to fear, for He will give all of them over to him. The Israelites destroy the Amorite armies, some by the sword and others by a hail storm from God.
• Joshua prays that God would make the sun stand still over Gibeon and the moon over Aijalon. The sun and moon stand still until Israel had defeated all of its enemies.
• Joshua and the Israelites return to their camp at Gilgal.

Five Amorite Kings Executed

• During the fight, five kings escape and hide in a cave. When Joshua learns where they are, he tells his commanders to cover the openings of the caves with rocks and place guards there. Joshua and his troops continue the slaughter of their enemies, then return to the camp where the cave is. He has the men bring the kings to him, then put their feet on the kings' necks, and Joshua killed each one and had him impaled on a pole and hung until evening.
• That evening, Joshua tells the commanders to take the kings down, throw their bodies into the cave, and place stones in front of it.

Conquest of Southern Canaan 

• Joshua captures the town of Makkedah and kills everyone in it, including the king. He then moves on to Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, conquering the entire region, then returns to Gilgal.

Conquests in Northern Canaan – Joshua 11

• When the kings of northern Canaan hear about what has happened, they gather together to fight Joshua and the Israelites. Despite their great number, God tells Joshua not to fear them. Joshua and his men attack, and God gives them victory, allowing him to conquer the entire region. He takes control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. The land rests from war.

Kings Defeated by Moses – Joshua 12

• The kings defeated by Moses are listed: King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan. Their lands were given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh.