Joshua 10:13-23

13 And the sun and the moon stood still, until God executed vengeance on their enemies; and the sun stood still in the midst of heaven; it did not proceed to set till the end of one day.

14 And there was not such a day either before or after, so that God should hearken to a man, because the Lord fought on the side of Israel.

15

16 And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave that is in Makeda.

17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings have been found hid in the cave that is in Makeda.

18 And Joshua said, Roll stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men to watch over them.

19 But do not ye stand, but pursue after your enemies, and attack the rear of them, and do not suffer them to enter into their cities; for the Lord our God has delivered them into our hands.

20 And it came to pass when Joshua and all Israel ceased destroying them utterly with a very great slaughter, that they that escaped took refuge in the strong cities.

21 And all the people returned safe to Joshua to Makeda; and no one of the children of Israel murmured with his tongue.

22 And Joshua said, Open the cave, and bring out these five kings out of the cave.

23 And they brought out the five kings out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, and the king of Chebron, and the king of Jerimuth, and the king of Lachis, and the king of Odollam.

Joshua 10:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 10

This chapter treats of the combination of five kings against the Gibeonites, Jos 10:1-5; and of the application of the Gibeonites to Joshua, for assistance, in virtue of the league between them, which was granted, Jos 10:6-9; of the slaughter of the army by the kings of Israel, and chiefly by hailstones from heaven, Jos 10:10,11; and of the standing still of the sun, and of the moon, while vengeance was taken on them, Jos 10:12-14; and of the five kings being hid in a cave, and of the usage of them when taken, Jos 10:15-27; and of the taking of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, Jos 10:28-39; which finished the conquest of the southern part of the land, Jos 10:40-43.

Footnotes

• [a]. additional day without a night between.
• [b]. fasten upon or seize.
• [c]. sound, or healthy.