Vocabulary

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Joshua 10

 

Joshua 10:1-43

 
 
When Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, and his people heard that the Israelites had taken the city of Ai and destroyed it — just as he had done to Jericho — they were alarmed.

Moreover, Gibeon had allied itself with Israel (Gibeon was an important and well-defended city with a strong army).

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

So Adoni-Zedek appealed to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon: “Let us unite and attack Gibeon, because it has made peace with Israel.”

The five Amorite kings joined forces. They mobilized their armies upon, and attacked Gibeon.

The Gibeonites sent word to Joshua, the leader of Israel, who was camped at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us, for all the Amorite kings of the hill country have united against us.”

Joshua immediately marched his entire army up from Gilgal. The Lord said to him: “Do not be afraid; I have given them into your hand.”

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

After an all-night march, Joshua took the Amorites by surprise. The Lord threw them into confusion. The Israelites defeated them, and pursued those who retreated along the road to Beth Horon, cutting them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.

As they fled, the Lord made large hailstones fall from the sky, killing more of the enemy than were killed by the sword.

Later in the afternoon, fearing that it would soon be dark and the Amorites would escape, Joshua said to the Lord: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”

The sun stood still and the moon stopped until Israel took vengeance on its enemies. The sun remained in the sky for about a full day. There has never been a day like it, when the Lord fought for Israel.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

The five kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave sealed with large stones and guarded, while the army continued the pursuit.

After the battle, the army returned. Joshua ordered the kings brought out. He summoned his commanders and told them to place their feet on the kings’ necks, saying: “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all your enemies.”

Joshua then put the kings to death and displayed their bodies on poles until evening. At sunset they were taken down and thrown back into the cave, which was sealed with stones that remained there.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

That same day Joshua captured Makkedah and killed its king.

He then moved on with all Israel and captured Libnah, obliterating the city and its king.

Lachish, taken on the second day.

During this battle, Horam king of Gezer came to help but was defeated.

Next was Eglon, captured in a single day.

Hebron, along with its villages, then Debir were likewise destroyed

In every case, the cities were taken and their inhabitants put to the sword, following the same pattern as earlier conquests.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Joshua subdued the entire southern region: the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills, the mountain slopes.

He defeated all their kings, leaving no survivors, as commanded by the Lord, the God of Israel.

From Kadesh Barnea to Gaza, and from Goshen to Gibeon, all were conquered in one campaign, because the Lord fought for Israel.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

 

 

Questions

 

Army. Was Adoni-Zedek, the King of Jerusalem an aggressive imperialist? Did he want to conquer all his neighbors?

Navy. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” What does this mean? Give examples. Are there other scenarios?

Air Force. The King of Jerusalem wage war alone. Is this right or wrong? What did he do?

Marines. Did the Gibeonites fight alone? What did they do?

Special Forces, Commando, Navy SEAL. In battle were the Amorites motivated and fierce?

Paratrooper. The Lord helped Israel. Is this correct or incorrect? How did the Lord aid Israel? What did the Lord do to assist Israel?

Private, Enlisted Man. The five Amorite kings stood their ground and fought valiantly. Do you agree? What happened to them?

Corporal. Once the battle was over, did the Israelites return to their camp?
 
 
 
Sargent. I have read the Bible. Yes or no? Are you familiar with certain Bible passages?

Lieutenant. How religious is your community, town, city, region, nation? Is it very devout, religious, in the middle, some people are, others are not, partially religious, not religious, secular, agnostic, atheist, or don’t know, can’t be bothered?

Captain. Has religiosity changed over the years?

Major. What nations or people are religious? What nations or people are secular?

Colonel. What might happen in the future?

General, Admiral. What could or should people, society, governments do?