Divine Intervention
Joshua 10:12-14 describes the miraculous event where Joshua commands the sun and moon to stand still: So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. This demonstrates God's control over the universe and His willingness to intervene for His people.

God's Faithfulness
The chapter begins with the coalition of Amorite kings attacking Gibeon, an ally of Israel. God reassures Joshua in verse 8, Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you. This highlights God's faithfulness to His promises.

Human Responsibility and Divine Power
While God performs the miracle, Joshua and the Israelites still have to fight. This balance between divine intervention and human action is crucial in understanding our role in God's plans.

Judgment and Justice
The defeat of the Amorite kings and their armies (verses 16-27) serves as a reminder of God's justice. The destruction of these enemies was a fulfillment of God's judgment against their wickedness.Trust in God's Promises
Just as God assured Joshua of victory, we can trust in God's promises in our lives, knowing He is faithful and sovereign.

Prayer and Action
Like Joshua, we should pray for God's guidance and intervention while also taking action in faith, knowing that God works through our efforts.

Recognize God's Power
Reflect on the ways God has shown His power in your life and give Him glory for His mighty works.

Stand for Righteousness
Be encouraged to stand firm in righteousness, knowing that God is just and will ultimately bring about justice.1. Adoni-Zedek
He is the king of Jerusalem who initiates the coalition of Amorite kings to fight against Gibeon for making peace with Israel. His name means "Lord of Righteousness" in Hebrew.

2. Joshua
The leader of Israel, who leads the Israelites in battle against the Amorite coalition. His name in Hebrew, Yehoshua, means "The LORD is salvation."

3. Hoham
The king of Hebron, one of the five Amorite kings who join Adoni-Zedek in the attack against Gibeon.

4. Piram
The king of Jarmuth, another member of the coalition of Amorite kings.

5. Japhia
The king of Lachish, who also joins the alliance against Gibeon.

6. Debir
The king of Eglon, the fifth king in the coalition against Gibeon.

7. The LORD
Referred to multiple times as the divine force aiding Israel. The Hebrew name used is YHWH, often rendered as "LORD" in English translations.1. Jerusalem
Description: Jerusalem is the city where Adoni-Zedek, the king, resided. It is significant as a central location in biblical history and is often associated with peace, as its name in Hebrew, "Yerushalayim," can be interpreted as "foundation of peace."

2. Hebron
Description: Hebron is one of the cities whose king joined the coalition against Gibeon. It is historically significant as a city of refuge and the place where Abraham settled. The Hebrew name "Chevron" is related to the word for "association" or "alliance."

3. Jarmuth
Description: Jarmuth is another city whose king allied against Gibeon. The name in Hebrew, "Yarmuth," may be related to elevation or height, indicating its geographical features.

4. Lachish
Description: Lachish is a city whose king joined the coalition. It was an important fortified city in the Shephelah region. The Hebrew name "Lakhish" might be derived from a root meaning "invincible."

5. Eglon
Description: Eglon is a city whose king was part of the alliance against Gibeon. The name "Eglon" in Hebrew is similar to the word for "calf," possibly indicating fertility or abundance.

6. Gibeon
Description: Gibeon is the city that made a treaty with Israel, prompting the coalition of kings to attack it. The Hebrew name "Giv'on" is related to the word for "hill" or "height."

7. Gilgal
Description: Gilgal is where Joshua and the Israelites camped before coming to the aid of Gibeon. The name "Gilgal" in Hebrew means "circle" or "wheel," possibly referring to a circle of stones or a rolling away of reproach.

8. Makkedah
Description: Makkedah is the place where the five Amorite kings hid in a cave and were later executed. The Hebrew name "Makkedah" might be related to a root meaning "herding" or "gathering."

9. Libnah
Description: Libnah is a city that Joshua and the Israelites captured after defeating the coalition. The name "Libnah" in Hebrew means "whiteness," possibly referring to the color of the local soil or stones.

10. Lachish
Description: Lachish is mentioned again as a city that Joshua captured. Its strategic importance is highlighted by its repeated mention.

11. Eglon
Description: Eglon is also mentioned again as a city captured by Joshua, emphasizing the thoroughness of the conquest.

12. Hebron
Description: Hebron is mentioned again as a city captured by Joshua, underscoring its significance in the narrative.

13. Debir
Description: Debir is a city captured by Joshua after Hebron. The Hebrew name "Debir" is related to the word for "oracle" or "sanctuary," indicating its possible religious significance.1. The Coalition Against Gibeon
Five Amorite kings formed an alliance to attack Gibeon because it had made peace with Israel. The kings were from Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon (Joshua 10:1-5).

2. Gibeon's Plea for Help
The men of Gibeon sent a message to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, asking for immediate assistance against the Amorite coalition (Joshua 10:6).

3. Joshua's March and Divine Assurance
Joshua and his troops marched all night from Gilgal to Gibeon. The LORD assured Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you" (Joshua 10:7-8).

4. The Surprise Attack
Joshua launched a surprise attack on the Amorite coalition, and the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, leading to a great victory at Gibeon (Joshua 10:9-10).

5. The Hailstorm
As the Amorites fled, the LORD hurled large hailstones from the sky, killing more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword (Joshua 10:11).

6. The Sun Stands Still
Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the Valley of Aijalon. The LORD answered, and the sun stopped in the middle of the sky, delaying its setting for about a full day (Joshua 10:12-14).

7. The Defeat of the Amorite Kings
Joshua and the Israelites continued to pursue and defeat the Amorite kings, who fled and hid in the cave at Makkedah (Joshua 10:15-17).

8. The Execution of the Kings
Joshua ordered the cave's entrance to be sealed with large stones and later brought the kings out, executed them, and hung their bodies on trees until evening (Joshua 10:18-27).

9. The Conquest of Southern Cities
Joshua and the Israelites captured and destroyed several southern cities, including Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, leaving no survivors as commanded by the LORD (Joshua 10:28-39).

10. The Return to Gilgal
After the successful campaign, Joshua and all Israel returned to their camp at Gilgal (Joshua 10:43).Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. This verse connects to God's control over creation as seen in Joshua 10.

Romans 8:31
If God is for us, who can be against us? This echoes the assurance God gave Joshua in verse 8.

Ephesians 6:10-18
The armor of God passage reminds us of the spiritual battle we face and the need for both divine power and human responsibility. Praise for God's Sovereignty
Thank God for His control over all creation and His ability to perform miracles.
Faithfulness in Promises
Pray for a deeper trust in God's promises and His faithfulness in your life.
Courage and Action
Ask for courage to take action in faith, knowing that God is with you.
Justice and Righteousness
Pray for God's justice to prevail in the world and for strength to stand for righteousness.

As we reflect on Joshua 10, may we be encouraged by God's mighty power and His unwavering support for those who trust in Him. Let us walk in faith, knowing that the God who made the sun stand still is the same God who guides and protects us today.

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?