United They Fall: Joshua's Triumph over the Five Kings

Joshua's unwavering faith in God's promise empowers him to lead Israel to astounding victories. Despite facing a coalition of powerful adversaries, the Israelites prevail, demonstrating that when God is for us, no enemy can stand against us.

The United Front (verses 1-5):

King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem, alarmed by the growing power of Israel, rallies four other kings to wage war against Gibeon for allying with Israel.

The Call for Aid (verses 6-9):

The besieged Gibeonites appeal to Joshua for help. Joshua, buoyed by divine reassurance, responds with his army and achieves a surprise victory.

The Day the Sun Stood Still (verses 10-14):

In an unprecedented event, Joshua commands the sun to stand still, prolonging the day until the Israelites secure a complete victory.

The Fate of the Five Kings (verses 15-27):

The five kings, having hidden in a cave, are discovered, humiliated, and ultimately executed by Joshua and his commanders.

A String of Victories (verses 28-43):

Joshua, following God's command, successfully captures and destroys several key cities, leaving no survivors.

This chapter recounts the formidable military campaign led by Joshua as he and the Israelites face the combined forces of five Amorite kings. The Gibeonites, fearing the wrath of Israel, call upon Joshua for help, prompting a rapid response filled with divine interventions, strategic warfare, and ultimate victory.

1. Obedience to God's Command
2. God's Providential Protection
3. The Consequences of Disobedience
4. Courage in the face of adversity
5. Alliance and Betrayal1. Warfare and Victory
2. The Power of God
3. Leadership and Strategy
4. Alliances and Agreements
5. The Consequences of Deception1. Joshua
2. Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem
3. Hoham, king of Hebron
4. Piram, king of Jarmuth
5. Japhia, king of Lachish
6. Debir, king of Eglon
7. The Gibeonites
8. The people of Israel1. Jerusalem
2. Hebron
3. Jarmuth
4. Lachish
5. Eglon
6. Gibeon
7. Ai
8. Makkedah
9. Gilgal
10. Libnah
11. Gezer
12. Debir
13. The Negev and hill country

1. How does the Gibeonites' call for help and Joshua's immediate response reflect the nature and value of alliances and promises in our lives today?

2. Joshua showed mercy and protection to the Gibeonites despite their deceit in earlier chapters. How does this align with your understanding of mercy and justice?

3. The chapter mentions that God fought for Israel. How have you seen evidence of God fighting for you in your own life?

4. Joshua 10:8 records God reassuring Joshua not to be afraid. How does God's reassurance give us courage in times of fear and uncertainty in our lives?

5. In this chapter, we see Joshua obediently following God's directions without questioning Him. How does this model of obedience challenge you in your own relationship with God?

6. How does the event of the sun standing still resonate with the belief that God can interrupt the laws of nature to assist His people?

7. In your personal life, have there been times when you wish you could have had more time, like Joshua's long day, to accomplish something? How did you handle it?

8. How does the occurrence of the sun standing still speak to the idea of God's miraculous intervention in seemingly impossible situations in our lives?

9. Joshua and his men marched all night to surprise the enemy. How does this reflect the need for sacrifice and hard work in our efforts to overcome personal battles?

10. How do you reconcile God's active involvement in the war, including the large hailstones killing more people than the Israelites' swords, with your understanding of God's character?

11. What does the execution of the five kings symbolize in terms of God's justice?

12. How does Joshua's prayer to make the sun stand still challenge us to pray big prayers in our own lives?

13. The execution of the Amorite kings served as a visual demonstration of God's power over Israel's enemies. How can this imagery inspire Christians facing spiritual battles today?

14. How does the account of this battle teach us about leadership, especially the kind of leadership that relies on God's guidance and authority?

15. Joshua led the people of Israel to claim their inheritance as promised by God. How does this relate to our own Christian journey of claiming God's promises?

16. How does the dedication and unity of Joshua and the Israelites in pursuing their enemies inspire us in our commitment to personal and communal goals?

17. In our modern context, how can we apply the principle of not making peace with God's enemies, as demonstrated by Joshua's relentless pursuit of the Amorite kings?

18. Joshua's actions were in complete obedience to God's commandments. What can this teach us about the relationship between obedience to God and successful leadership?

19. How can we relate the swift justice that the five kings received to the concept of consequences for our actions in contemporary life?

20. In this chapter, the Israelites experienced a significant victory. How can this story give us hope and encouragement in our personal life battles?