Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When Adonizedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had defeated Ai and completely destroyed it, just as he had done to Jericho and its king, he was terrified. The people of Gibeon, who were a great and powerful city, one of the royal cities, had made peace with Israel and joined their alliance, which only fueled Adonizedek's fears.

He called upon his allies, Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, to join him in battle against Gibeon. The men of Gibeon urgently requested Joshua's help, warning him that all the Amorite kings had formed an alliance against them.

The five Amorite kings – including Adonizedek of Jerusalem and Hoham of Hebron – gathered their armies and camped outside Gibeon, preparing to attack. The people of Gibeon sent messengers to Joshua at Gilgal, begging him to come quickly and rescue them from the impending danger.

Joshua led his warriors, mighty men of valor, out of Gilgal, responding to the Lord's assurance that He had given the Amorite kings into their hands. "Do not fear them," the Lord said, "for I have delivered them into your hand; there shall not a man of them stand before you."

Joshua and his army marched from Gilgal by night, surprising the enemy forces at Gibeon. The Lord confused and disoriented the Amorites, and Joshua's men killed them with great slaughter as they fled towards Beth-horon.

As the Israelites pursued their enemies, the Lord sent hailstones from heaven upon them, killing more people than the Israelites had slaughtered with their swords. The hailstones fell on Azekah, a place where many of the Amorite warriors were trying to escape.

Joshua prayed to the Lord in the presence of all Israel, "Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and moon, in the valley of Ajalon." And so it happened – the sun stood still in the sky for about a whole day. The moon remained stationary as well, giving the Israelites time to complete their victory.

After this extraordinary event, Joshua returned with all Israel to Gilgal, while the five Amorite kings fled and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. When the news of their hiding place was reported to Joshua, he instructed his men to roll large stones over the cave entrance and station guards there to prevent any escape.

Joshua ordered his army to pursue the enemy, striking down those who were fleeing or lagging behind. He gave no quarter, allowing none of the Amorite warriors to enter their cities. The Lord had given them into Israel's hands as a gift, and Joshua was determined to complete the job.

When Joshua and his men finished slaughtering the remaining Amorites, those who escaped fled to fortified cities. But Joshua and all the people returned in peace to Makkedah, where there were no complaints or disputes among the Israelites.

Joshua then ordered the cave entrance to be opened, and the five captured kings – including Adonizedek of Jerusalem and Hoham of Hebron – were brought out before him. The Israelite warriors placed their feet on the necks of these defeated kings as a sign of victory and subjugation.

Joshua encouraged his men, saying, "Do not be afraid or discouraged; be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all your enemies against whom you fight." He then put the five kings to death by hanging them from trees. Later that day, he ordered their bodies to be taken down and cast into the cave where they had hidden themselves.

Joshua sealed Makkedah's fate, defeating its king and everyone in the city with the edge of the sword. The city was utterly destroyed, leaving no survivors. Joshua then moved on to Libnah, which fell to Israel after a fierce battle. Its king was killed, just like the kings of Jericho and Ai.

From Libnah, Joshua marched against Lachish, where he camped outside the city and prepared for battle. The Lord delivered Lachish into Israel's hands on the second day, allowing Joshua to take it with his sword. He completely destroyed all its inhabitants, treating them just as he had treated the people of Libnah.

The king of Gezer, Horam, came to help Lachish but was defeated by Joshua and his men. The Lord gave Gezer's king into Israel's hands, allowing Joshua to strike him down until none remained alive.

Joshua then moved on to Eglon, where he fought against its people and took the city with ease, completely destroying all its inhabitants as he had done before. He went from Eglon to Hebron, fighting against it, and completely destroyed everyone in the city, just like he had treated the people of Eglon.

Next, Joshua turned his attention to Debir, which fell to Israel after a fierce battle. Its king was killed, along with all its cities and inhabitants – none were left alive.

After completing this series of victories, Joshua returned to Gilgal, where the Lord had instructed him to begin his campaign against the Canaanites. He then turned his attention to the entire region, attacking the kings and people in the hill country, the south, the valley, and the springs.

Joshua struck down all who breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded – a complete destruction that left no one remaining. The entire territory from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza fell under Joshua's control.

In a single campaign, Joshua conquered all these kings and their lands because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel. When he finished his conquests, Joshua returned with all Israel to Gilgal, completing the circle of their journey as they began it.