Centuries earlier, during Abraham’s time, a mysterious king named Melchizedek—king of Salem (later known as Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High—had blessed Abraham after his victory over a coalition of kings. Melchizedek’s name meant “king of righteousness,” and he appeared as a symbol of peace from Jerusalem. Years passed, and now, under Joshua’s leadership, Israel stood on the threshold of claiming that very region.
Joshua had been chosen by God to execute His justice and lead the people into the land promised to their forefathers. The fall of Jericho and Ai had already shaken the land. Word spread swiftly to Jerusalem, now ruled by Adoni-Zedek, whose name also meant “lord of righteousness,” echoing Melchizedek yet contrasting in character and purpose.
Adoni-Zedek heard that Joshua had utterly destroyed Ai and its king, just as he had done to Jericho, and that the powerful city of Gibeon had made a peace treaty with Israel and joined them as allies. Gibeon was no ordinary city—it was large, strategically important, and its men were skilled warriors. The alliance with Israel threatened the balance of power in Canaan.
The Plot to Destroy Gibeon
Alarmed, Adoni-Zedek rallied four fellow Amorite kings—Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon—to join him in attacking Gibeon, hoping to crush this new allegiance before it grew stronger. The five kings and their armies advanced on Gibeon. In desperation, the Gibeonites sent word to Joshua at his camp in Gilgal,
The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.” – Joshua 10:6 (NIV)
Joshua responded without delay and marched out with his full army, including his best fighting men. And as he moved, the LORD assured him: “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” Thus, the stage was set. The city where Melchizedek once reigned in peace was now defended by Adoni-Zedek in opposition to God’s people. But God had raised up Joshua—“the one who saves”—to reclaim the land and fulfil the promise given generations earlier.
After an exhausting all-night march, Joshua launched a surprise attack against the coalition of five Amorite kings. Yet the victory was not due to Israel’s tactics, but to the LORD’s direct intervention. He threw the enemy into confusion before Israel. At Gibeon, the Israelites struck with overwhelming force, and as the Amorites fled toward Beth Horon, Israel pursued them relentlessly, cutting them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. But it was God who delivered the decisive blow—He hurled down great hailstones on the fleeing armies, killing more with hail than Israel did with the sword. It was a clear demonstration that the battle belonged to the LORD.
On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon. ”
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on its enemies… – Joshua 10:12-13 (NIV)
The day stretched miraculously until Israel had fully avenged herself upon her enemies. The Book of Jashar recorded this wonder—a day when time was stilled by the word of a man because God was fighting for Israel. Never before and never since had there been a day like it, when the LORD so visibly heeded the voice of a human leader.
God chose to intervene so visibly and unmistakably on behalf of the Israelites as both a fulfilment of His covenant and a public declaration of His sovereignty over the land and its people. Just as a powerful government might intervene in favour of a smaller allied nation—to intimidate enemies, to prevent future opposition, and to display allegiance—so too did God act decisively for Israel.
This intervention was a direct continuation of His promise to Moses, affirming that the land was not gained by Israel’s strength but by God’s authority and backing. It reminded both Israel and the surrounding nations that it was God who had given the land’s former inhabitants their time of rule, and now it was He who was removing them, giving the land to His chosen people.
Such a dramatic display was not only intended to strike fear into opposing nations but was also to be a sign for the Israelites themselves. It was a sign to live faithfully, knowing that they were not merely occupying a new territory, but inheriting a land sanctified and granted by God’s will—a land where they were expected to walk in obedience.
Joshua Executes the Amorite Kings
After the battle, Joshua and all Israel returned to their camp at Gilgal. But the judgment on the five Amorite kings was not yet complete. They had fled the battlefield and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah. When Joshua learned of this, he commanded that large stones be rolled across the cave’s entrance and guards be posted. Yet he ordered the army not to halt in their pursuit—there were still fleeing enemies to overtake and strongholds to prevent from being reinforced.
Only after the enemy had been completely subdued did Joshua return to the cave. The kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon were brought before him. Joshua gathered the army commanders and told them to put their feet on the necks of the kings—a symbolic act of victory and future promise. He then spoke words of courage and conviction to the leaders:
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” – Joshua 10:25 (NIV)
Joshua then executed the kings and exposed their bodies on five poles until evening. At sunset, the bodies were taken down and thrown back into the very cave where they had hidden. Large stones were placed at the cave’s mouth—a permanent reminder of the downfall of those who opposed the purposes of God.
What began with Melchizedek’s blessing over Abraham had now culminated in Joshua—God’s appointed deliverer—bringing justice to the same region. The LORD was not only fulfilling His promise to Abraham, but also showing that no earthly alliance or fortified city could stand against His will.
The Remaining Cities Conquered
After the victory at Gibeon and the defeat of the five Amorite kings, Joshua pressed forward without hesitation. That same day, he captured Makkedah, destroying the city and its king, leaving no survivors—just as he had done to Jericho. From there, Joshua led Israel to a series of swift and decisive southern campaigns.
Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir fell one after another. Each city was taken by force, its king slain, and its population utterly destroyed. Even reinforcements from Horam, king of Gezer, who came to aid Lachish, were completely defeated. The LORD delivered every city into Joshua’s hands, and he left no survivors. City after city fell—along with all their villages and territory.
In one united campaign, Joshua subdued the entire southern region—from the hill country to the Negev, from the western foothills to the mountain slopes, from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza, and from Goshen to Gibeon. Every enemy was destroyed, every king defeated. It was the LORD, the God of Israel, who fought for His people. With the conquest complete, Joshua and all Israel returned to the camp at Gilgal.
So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded. – Joshua 10:40 (NIV)
The Northern Territories Captured
When Jabin, king of Hazor, learned of Joshua’s victories, he rallied a vast coalition of northern kings, stretching across the mountains, valleys, and coastlands. They gathered at the Waters of Merom, forming a massive army “as numerous as the sand on the seashore,” equipped with horses and chariots. Yet God again reassured Joshua: “Do not be afraid… by this time tomorrow, I will hand them all over to you, slain.”
Joshua launched a sudden attack, and once again, the LORD delivered the enemy into Israel’s hands. The army pursued the fleeing kings to Greater Sidon, Misrephoth Maim, and the Valley of Mizpah until not one survivor remained. As God had commanded, Joshua crippled the horses and burned the chariots.
He then turned back and captured Hazor—the head of all the northern kingdoms—and put its king and people to the sword, burning the city to the ground. One by one, every royal city was taken, its king defeated, its population destroyed. Only Hazor was burned; the other mound cities remained intact, and the Israelites carried off livestock and plunder.
Joshua carried out every command that the LORD had given through Moses, leaving nothing undone. Over a prolonged campaign, he took all the land, from Mount Halak in the south to Baal Gad near Mount Hermon in the north. He captured every king and put them to death. No city made peace with Israel except the Hivites of Gibeon. The rest were taken by force.
The LORD had hardened their hearts to stand against Israel, ensuring their downfall—fulfilling the judgment long spoken through Moses. Even the dreaded Anakites, giants of the hill country, were completely wiped out from Hebron, Debir, Anab, and the surrounding regions of Judah and Israel. Only a few survived in cities like Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod—likely including the ancestors of Goliath of Gath.
At last, Joshua had taken the entire land, just as the LORD had promised through Moses. He distributed it among the tribes of Israel as their inheritance. And with that, the land finally had rest from war.
The Wanderers Find Rest
Forty years earlier, when Moses sent out twelve spies, only Joshua and Caleb returned with confidence in the LORD’s promise. The others brought a fearful report that caused the people to tremble before the giants, especially the Anakites, and doubt God’s ability to give them victory. Their fear outweighed their faith, and as a result, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years—years they could have avoided had they trusted in God’s word.
Now, under Joshua’s leadership, that same generation’s children are defeating the very giants that once caused their parents to panic. What they once saw as impossible was now being fulfilled—not by their strength, but by the LORD’s power. This contrast highlights not only the consequence of unbelief but also the mercy of God in allowing them another chance.
In a similar way, our own generation has faced crises—such as the COVID-19 pandemic—where fear has driven people to act irrationally. Many religious voices claimed it was God’s hand of judgment, yet it may well have been a man-made disaster, perhaps even a biowarfare accident. Instead of seeking God’s voice in quiet trust, many were manipulated by fear into following paths contrary to His will.
People were misled by false reports and are still wandering in the desert (or from church to church) rather than directly coming to the fold of God. Just as He did with Israel, God is still graciously extending time for us to come out of our wilderness of confusion, fear, and deception, and to find rest in Him. The lesson remains the same: faith in God’s voice must prevail over fear, or we risk wandering far longer than we were ever meant to.
Discussion Questions
- Why was Adoni-Zedek distressed at Joshua’s treaty with the Gibeonites?
- Why did God choose to intervene so visibly and unmistakably on behalf of the Israelites?
- Why did Joshua have to completely destroy the cities they captured, leaving no survivors?
- What can we learn from Israel’s failure to trust Him at the edge of the Promised Land?
The Jordan Valley 
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