What was happening when the five Amorite kings attacked Gibeon?

The five Amorite kings attacked Gibeon because Gibeon had made peace with Israel and joined them. After Jericho and Ai fell, fear spread through the land, and Adoni-zedec, king of Jerusalem, saw Gibeon’s treaty as a serious threat. Gibeon was a large, important city with strong warriors, so its defection shook the other kings. Instead of seeking peace with God’s people, they joined forces to punish Gibeon and try to stop Israel. This shows how those who turn toward God can quickly face anger and pressure from those who resist Him.

Why did Joshua go to help the Gibeonites even though they had deceived Israel?

Joshua went to help the Gibeonites because Israel had made a covenant with them. Even though Gibeon had gained that covenant by trickery earlier, Joshua knew a promise before God had to be kept. When Gibeon cried out for help, calling themselves Israel’s servants, Joshua gathered his warriors and marched all night from Gilgal. By doing this, he showed that faithfulness means standing by those under your care, even when it is costly or awkward. God then confirmed this choice by telling Joshua not to fear and by giving victory.

What does it mean that God fought for Israel in this battle?

The passage shows God fighting for Israel in several clear ways. He first speaks to Joshua and promises that not one of the enemies will stand. As Israel attacks, God throws down great hailstones from heaven so that more of the enemy die from the hail than from Israel’s swords. Then, in answer to Joshua’s bold prayer, God makes the sun and moon stand still so Israel has more time to defeat their foes. All this makes it plain that the victory did not come from Israel’s strength alone but from God acting on their behalf.

Why did Joshua ask the sun and moon to stand still, and what happened?

Joshua asked the sun over Gibeon and the moon over the valley of Ajalon to stand still so Israel could finish the battle before their enemies escaped into their cities. He prayed this in faith during the fight, trusting God’s promise of victory. God answered in a unique way: the sun did not hurry to go down for about a whole day, and the moon stayed as well. The passage says there was no day like it before or after, when God listened to a man in such a way, showing that the Lord Himself was fighting for Israel.

What is the meaning of Joshua telling the captains to put their feet on the kings’ necks?

When the five kings were brought out of the cave, Joshua called the commanders and told them to put their feet on the kings’ necks. This act was a sign of complete defeat of the enemy. Joshua used this moment to encourage his men, telling them not to fear or be dismayed but to be strong and courageous. He said this is how the Lord would treat all their enemies. It was meant to strengthen Israel’s faith that God would keep helping them and that no enemy could finally stand against His purpose.

Why is the sun standing still a difficult part of this passage for some readers?

The sun and moon standing still can be hard for some readers because it describes a miracle that affects all creation. People have wondered exactly how it happened. Some see it as a direct pause in the normal movement of the heavens, others think of it as special language to show an unusually long day or God giving extra light. The passage itself is clear on the main point: Joshua prayed, God answered in an unmatched way, and the result was that Israel had enough time to defeat their enemies, showing God’s power over nature.

What does this passage teach about God’s promises and human effort?

This chapter holds both truths together. God clearly promises Joshua, “I have delivered them into your hand,” and then proves it through hailstones and a lengthened day. At the same time, Joshua does not sit still. He marches all night, plans a surprise attack, keeps pressing the battle, and follows through by taking the cities. The story shows that trusting God does not mean doing nothing. God’s sure word should move His people to act with courage and energy, knowing that their labor is joined to His power.

How can the story of Joshua helping Gibeon guide believers today?

Joshua’s help for Gibeon points to the duty to keep our word and care for those who have sought shelter among God’s people. Even though the Gibeonites had a messy past with Israel, they were now under Israel’s protection. Joshua risked much to defend them because of the covenant. For believers today, this teaches that loyalty is not just a feeling but real action for the weak and threatened. It also encourages turning quickly to God and His appointed help when we are in trouble, as the Gibeonites did.

Josh.10.1

Joshua 10:1

KJV

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;

The Day the Sun Stood Still

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;

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.

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,

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 Beth-horon, 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 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.

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.

The Victory at Makkedah

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.

Conquest of the Southern Cities

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 Kadesh-barnea 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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.