Joshua 9:1 ¶ And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
Joshua 9:2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.
All the kings on the east side of the Jordan River in the land of promise—Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—decided to join forces and fight against the Israelites as one army.
Joshua 9:3 ¶ And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
Joshua 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
Joshua 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
Joshua 9:6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
Note: Gibeon was a city about six miles northwest of Jerusalem and was actually the capital city of the Hivites according to JFB.
The people living in Gibeon, however, had a different plan. When they heard what Joshua and the Israelites had done to Jericho and Ai, they decided to try and make a league with them through the use of deception. They sent ambassadors to Joshua that appeared to have traveled a long way. They put old sacks on their donkeys, carried old wine bottles, wore obviously old and worn shoes and garments, and carried bread that was dry and moldy. When they approached Joshua and the men of Israel, they declared that they had come from a far country to make a peace treaty with them..
Joshua 9:7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
Joshua 9:8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
Joshua 9:9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
Joshua 9:10 And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.
Joshua 9:11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
Joshua 9:12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:
Joshua 9:13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
The men of Israel basically told the men (identified now as Hivites) that since they couldn’t be sure that they weren’t near neighbors, they could not make a treaty with them. They immediately addressed Joshua and declared to be his servants. So Joshua asked them directly where they were from.
The men from Gibeon lied and told Joshua that they were from a very far country and had only come because of their fear of Israel’s God. They knew what he had done for them in Egypt and how he had destroyed Sihon and Og, kings of Heshbon and Bashan respectively. In light of these facts, the people of their country told them to take what they needed for their journey and go and ask to establish a peace treaty with Israel. Then they took out the dry and moldy bread they carried and lied again, saying that it had been hot and fresh from the oven when they left. They also showed them the bottles of wine and pointed out their old clothes and shoes—obvious testimony to having made a very long journey.
The NIV Commentary makes a good observation: “In rehearsing the mighty acts of the Lord, the Gibeonites carefully omitted recent events that they would not have known about had they really come from a far country.”
Joshua 9:14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
Joshua 9:15 ¶ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
Joshua 9:16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
Joshua 9:17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
The men of Israel examined the evidence and, to their regret, did not ask for the LORD’s direction. Joshua made the peace treaty with them to let their people live, and the leaders of Israel affirmed it with an oath. Commentators note that this treaty was more than just a peace treaty; it placed the people they represented under their protection.
John Wesley made a good application: “In every business of importance, we should take God along with us, and by the word and prayer consult him. Many a time our affairs miscarry, because we asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. Did we acknowledge him in all our ways, they would be more safe, easy and successful.”
Three days later they found out that the men were their neighbors. Taking the three day journey to confront them, they found that the cities in which they lived were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kirjathjearim.
Wiersbe: “The leaders of Israel took the ‘scientific approach’ instead of the ‘spiritual approach.’ They depended on their own senses, examined the ‘facts,’ discussed the matter, and agreed in their conclusion. As a believer, be diligent to approach God in prayer, seeking wisdom in all things.”
Joshua 9:18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
Joshua 9:19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
Joshua 9:20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
Joshua 9:21 And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.
The Israelites did not kill the people of these cities because of the peace treaty that had been ratified by swearing an oath by the LORD God of Israel to affirm it. The people were not happy with their leaders. (Boy do I identify!)
The leaders of Israel knew that they had done wrong, but declared that they had to let the deceivers live because they had affirmed the treaty with an oath sworn by the name of the LORD. If they broke such an oath, they feared God’s wrath because of the dishonor it would bring to His name. They decided that they would let the people live, but make them their servants. They would be required to cut wood and draw water for the whole congregation.
Joshua 9:22 ¶ And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
Joshua 9:23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
Joshua called for the men of Gibeon to inform them of their decision. First, however, he asked them why they had deceived them and claimed to live far away. Because of their deceit, they would serve Israel as slaves and be required to cut wood and draw water to provide for the needs of the people at the tabernacle.
Joshua 9:24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Joshua 9:25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.
Joshua 9:26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
Joshua 9:27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
The men of Gibeon explained that they had heard that the LORD their God had commanded His servant Moses to give them the land and destroy all of its inhabitants. They used deception because they were afraid for their lives. They basically told Joshua that they knew they were at his mercy.
Joshua spared their lives and made them slaves as they had decided. The Gibeonites cut wood and drew water for the use of the people at the tabernacle and were still doing so at the time this book was written.
Guzik provides some interesting facts about the Gibeonites.
The Gibeonites became servants at the tabernacle, just as Joshua had commanded.
Gibeon becomes a priestly city; the Ark of the Covenant stayed at Gibeon often in the days of David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 16:39-40 and 21:29).
At least one of David’s mighty men was a Gibeonite (1 Chronicles 12:4).
God spoke to Solomon at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4).
Gibeonites were among those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:7 and 7:25).
Joshua 10:1 ¶ Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek 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;
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.
This chapter is basically a record of victories the Israelites won as they continued to follow the LORD’s directive to take possession of the land.
Adonizedek, the king of Jerusalem, home of the Jebusites, heard how Joshua had conquered Ai and utterly destroyed the city and her king—just as they had done in Jericho. He had also heard that the people of Gibeon had made peace with the Israelites. This was especially bad news since Gibeon was a great big city, even bigger and stronger than Ai. It is also significant to note that Gibeon was only about six miles away from Jerusalem.
Joshua 10:3 Wherefore Adonizedek 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,
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.
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.
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.
So Adonizedek sent messengers to four other kings to join with him in an alliance to attack Gibeon for making peace with Israel—Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish and Debir king of Eglon. These five Amorite kings joined forces and set out to make war against Gibeon. The men of Gibeon immediately sent word to Joshua at Gilgal that they were in danger from this alliance.
Principle: The enemy (Satan) is always motivated to go on the offensive when people seek to align themselves with the family of the LORD.
Joshua 10:7 ¶ So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.
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.
Joshua and all his troops responded immediately in accordance with the treaty made in the name of the LORD. The LORD told Joshua not to be afraid because He had delivered the enemy to them and not one would be left standing.
Principle: We never have to fear the enemy because the LORD has promised us the victory—though it may not come according to our expectation.
Romans 8:31b–32 “If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
Joshua 10:9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.
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 Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
Joshua 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, 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.
Joshua responded so quickly, traveling through the night, that the enemy armies were surprised. The NIV Commentary notes that this would have taken about 8-10 hours.
The LORD destroyed the enemy as they fled before the army of Israel—along the way to Bethhoron, to Azekah and on to Makkedah. Along the way the LORD dropped great hailstones from heaven on them, and more died from the hailstones than were killed by the sword.
It stands out to me that these hailstones fall with supernatural guidance since they didn’t kill any Israelites.
Principle: God will use miracles as necessary to accomplish His purposes for, in and through us.
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.
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.
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.
Evidently, Joshua felt like more daylight was needed to finish the job as they chased the Amorite coalition. He must have been confident that the LORD would agree because he asked the LORD to make the sun and moon to stand still over Gibeon and the valley of Ajalon respectively—and he did so in the hearing of the people. (This was evidently one of those days in which both the sun and moon can be seen in the daytime sky.)
The LORD did as Joshua asked, and the sun and moon stood still for almost a whole day. This truth is also recorded in the book of Jasher (which must have been written before Joshua). Joshua tells us that there was never such a day either before or after that the LORD honored the prayer of a man that involved manipulating the laws that sustain the universe. And why did He do this? Because He was fighting on behalf of Israel in light of His covenant with Abraham.
The New Bible Commentary gives the following possible reasoning for Joshua’s request: “The Canaanites coming up the slopes from the west of Gibeon (to which Joshua had brought relief after his strenuous, all–night climb) were looking east into the blinding sun above Gibeon when the battle began. To keep the advantage, Joshua, praying to the Lord, commanded the sun and moon, as the Lord’s subordinates, to stay put until Israel avenged itself (i.e. defensively vindicated its sovereignty) on its enemy.”
Principle: Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Joshua 10:15 ¶ And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
Joshua 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
Joshua 10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
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 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.
After the fighting was over on that miraculous day, Joshua and the troops of Israel returned to camp at Gilgal. The five enemy kings had run away and hidden themselves in a cave a Makkedah. Joshua responded by having his men roll big stones to block the mouth of the cave, essentially turning it into a prison, and assigned men to guard it. He ordered the rest of the troops to pursue the enemy and attack from the rear to prevent them from returning to their cities. He assured them that the LORD promised them the victory.
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 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.
The troops did as Joshua commanded, but still a few enemy soldiers managed to make it back into their cities. All—every man of—the army of Israel returned to Joshua at Makkedah. The people of the land no longer bad-mouthed the armies of Israel.
Joshua 10:22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 remainuntil this very day.
Once all his soldiers had returned, Joshua told his men to open the cave where the kings were kept prisoner and bring them out to him; and they did so. Joshua then ordered his captains to put their feet on the necks of the five kings; and they did so.
This time it was Joshua declaring the message to “Fear not…be strong and of good courage” because this action testified to how the LORD would act against all enemies they engaged in battle. Then Joshua killed the five kings and hung them each on a tree until the evening (cf note at 8:29), at which time they took the bodies down and threw them in the cave that had been their prison. They then sealed the mouth of the tomb with big stones, and it was still obvious at the time this book was written.
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 disposing of the kings, Joshua and the troops of Israel finished off the people of Makkedah. Not one person was allowed to remain alive—just as had been done in Jericho (excepting Rahab and her family).
Joshua 10:29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:
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.
These and the following verses detail the victories of the Israelites as they continued to take possession of the land. Each time they conquered a city they destroyed every person; not one person was left alive.
They went from Makkedah to Libnah.
Joshua 10:31 And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:
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.
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.
They went from Libnah to Lachish. Horam, king of Gezer, made the mistake of coming to help Lachish, and he and every one of his troops were destroyed as well.
The NIV Commentary notes, “‘Gezer’ is near the entrance to the Valley of Aijalon, about a day’s march north of Lachish.”
Joshua 10:34 And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:
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.
They went from Lachish to Eglon.
Easton’s Dictionary tells about an interesting archaeological find in Lachish.
“Lachish has been identified with Tell-el-Hesy, where a cuneiform tablet has been found, containing a letter supposed to be from Amenophis at Amarna in reply to one of the Amarna tablets sent by Zimrida from Lachish. This letter is from the chief of Atim (=Etam, 1 Chr. 4:32) to the chief of Lachish, in which the writer expresses great alarm at the approach of marauders from the Hebron hills. ‘They have entered the land,’ he says, ‘to lay waste...strong is he who has come down. He lays waste.’ This letter shows that ‘the communication by tablets in cuneiform script was not only usual in writing to Egypt, but in the internal correspondence of the country. The letter, though not so important in some ways as the Moabite stone and the Siloam text, is one of the most valuable discoveries ever made in Palestine’ (Conder’s Tell Amarna Tablets, p. 134).”
Joshua 10:36 And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:
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.
They went from Eglon to Hebron, the city where the cave of Machpelah—tomb of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah—was located.
Genesis 49:31 & 50:13-14 “There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah…. For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre. And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.”
Joshua 10:38 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:
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.
They headed from Hebron to Debir.
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.
Joshua 10:41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.
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.
Joshua 10:43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
This evidently completed their conquest of the hill country and the southern area known as the Negev in the southern part of what would become known as Judah. It stretched from Beersheba to Kadeshbarnea from north to south, and from near the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabah Valley from west to east, an expanse of about 70 miles wide. It seems that base camp remained at Gilgal.
Joshua notes that God gave them possession of the land by empowering them to conquer each king and his lands one kingdom at a time. This reason for this was explained in the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 7:22–23 “And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee. But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.”