Defeat of the Amorites
Joshua 10, verse 1. When Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai and utterly destroyed it; and that as he had done to Jericho and its king, he did also to Ai and its king; and that the inhabitants of Gibeon by their own accord had come over to Joshua and Israel, Joshua 10, verse 2. then they feared greatly for themselves, for the king knew that Gibeon was a great city, as one of the mother-cities, and that all her men were mighty. Joshua 10, verse 3. So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, Joshua 10, verse 4. “Come up to me and help me; and we will go to war against Gibeon, for they went over of their own accord to Joshua and the children of Israel.” Joshua 10, verse 5. The five kings of the Jebusites: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, they and all their people, went up and besieged Gibeon and forced it to surrender. Joshua 10, verse 6. Then the inhabitants of Gibeon sent to Joshua in the camp of Israel at Gilgal, saying, “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly. Help us and rescue us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered together against us.” Joshua 10, verse 7. So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all his men of war, everyone mighty in strength. Joshua 10, verse 8. For the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. Not one of them shall remain before you.” Joshua 10, verse 9. Then Joshua came upon them suddenly, for he had marched all night from Gilgal. Joshua 10, verse 10. The Lord routed them from the face of the sons of Israel, and the Lord crushed them with a great destruction at Gibeon. They pursued them on the road heading to Beth Horon and slew them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. Joshua 10, verse 11. But as they fled from the face of the sons of Israel, on the descent of Beth Horon, the Lord cast down hailstones on them from heaven as far as Azekah. More died from the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword in the battle.
The Sun Stands Still
Joshua 10, verse 12. Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day God delivered the Amorites into the hands of Israel, when he crushed them in Gibeon. They were crushed before the face of the sons of Israel, for Joshua said: “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, And the moon over the valley of Ajalon.” Joshua 10, verse 13. So the sun and moon stood still Until God brought vengeance against their enemies. The sun stood still in the midst of heaven And did not set in the west until the end of one day. Joshua 10, verse 14. There was no day like that day either before or after, that God should hear a man, because the Lord joined in war with Israel. Joshua 10, verse 15. Then those five kings fled, and hid in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua 10, verse 16. So it was reported to Joshua, saying, “The five kings were found hiding in the cave in Makkedah.” Joshua 10, verse 17. Joshua said, “Roll stones against the mouth of the cave and set men to guard them. Joshua 10, verse 18. As for you, do not stay there; but pursue your enemies and attack their rear guard. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the Lord our God will deliver them into our hands.” Joshua 10, verse 19. Thus it came to pass that when Joshua and the sons of Israel ceased to strike them in an overwhelming slaughter, those who escaped took refuge in the fortified cities. Joshua 10, verse 20. Then all the people returned safely to Joshua at Makkedah, and not one of the sons of Israel grumbled with his tongue. Joshua 10, verse 21. Then Joshua said, “Unblock the cave and bring out these five kings from the cave.” Joshua 10, verse 22. So they brought out the five kings from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. Joshua 10, verse 23. When they brought them to Joshua, he called together all Israel and the leaders of the army who went with him, saying, “Come forward and put your feet on their necks.” So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks. Joshua 10, verse 24. Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid of them, nor be fearful. Be courageous, for the Lord will do thus to all your enemies against whom you wage war.” Joshua 10, verse 25. After this, Joshua put them to death and hanged them on five trees. They hung on the trees until evening. Joshua 10, verse 26. Then it came to pass that towards sunset Joshua gave orders, and they took them down from the trees and cast them into the cave where they had fled for refuge. They rolled stones over the cave which remain to this day. Joshua 10, verse 27. Then they took Makkedah that day and struck it with the edge of the sword. They utterly destroyed every living thing in it. No one was spared or allowed to escape. So they did to the king of Makkedah as they had done to the king of Jericho.
Victory in the Southland
Joshua 10, verse 28. Then Joshua and all Israel with him departed from Makkedah to Libnah and besieged Libnah. Joshua 10, verse 29. The Lord gave it into the hands of Israel. They took it and its king and destroyed it with the edge of the sword, along with every living thing in it. Nothing was spared or allowed to escape. So they did to its king as they had done to the king of Jericho. Joshua 10, verse 30. After this, Joshua and all Israel with him departed from Libnah to Lachish, and encamped around it and besieged it. Joshua 10, verse 31. The Lord also gave Lachish into the hands of Israel. On the second day, they took it and destroyed it with the edge of the sword. They utterly destroyed it, as they had done to Libnah. Joshua 10, verse 32. Then Horam the king of Gezer marched up to help Lachish, but Joshua smote him and his people with the edge of the sword, until not one of them was spared or allowed to escape. Joshua 10, verse 33. Then Joshua and all Israel with him departed from Lachish to Eglon, and encamped around it and besieged it. Joshua 10, verse 34. So the Lord gave it into Israel's hand; and they took it on that day and destroyed it with the edge of the sword. They utterly destroyed every living thing in it, as they had done to Lachish. Joshua 10, verse 35. After this, Joshua and all Israel with him departed to Hebron and encamped around it. Joshua 10, verse 36. He struck it with the edge of the sword, along with every living thing in it. No one was spared. They destroyed it and everything in it, as they had done to Eglon. Joshua 10, verse 37. Then Joshua and all Israel returned to Debir and encamped around it. Joshua 10, verse 38. They took it, its king, and its villages, and struck it with the edge of the sword. They utterly destroyed it, along with every living thing in it. They spared nothing in it, and as they had done to Hebron and its king, so they did to Debir and its king. Joshua 10, verse 39. After this, Joshua smote all the land of the hill country, and the South, and the plains of the land, and Asedoth, and her kings; and not one of them was spared. They utterly destroyed every living thing, as the Lord God of Israel commanded: Joshua 10, verse 40. from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza, and all of Goshen, as far as Gibeon. Joshua 10, verse 41. Joshua smote their kings and their land once for all, because the Lord God of Israel was fighting for Israel.