The Conquest of the Southern Cities is a significant event in the biblical narrative of the Israelites' entrance into the Promised Land, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. This campaign is part of the larger conquest of Canaan, which was led by Joshua following the death of Moses. The southern campaign is detailed primarily in Joshua 10 and involves a series of battles against a coalition of Amorite kings.

Background

After the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho, the Israelites continued their divinely ordained mission to take possession of the land promised to their forefathers. The conquest of Ai followed, and the Israelites renewed their covenant with God at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (Joshua 8:30-35). The Gibeonites, fearing the advancing Israelites, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty with them (Joshua 9).

The Amorite Coalition

The news of the Gibeonite treaty alarmed the surrounding Canaanite kings, particularly Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem. He formed an alliance with four other Amorite kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. This coalition aimed to punish Gibeon for aligning with Israel and to halt the Israelite advance (Joshua 10:1-5).

The Battle at Gibeon

In response to the Gibeonite plea for help, Joshua led a surprise night march from Gilgal to Gibeon. The Lord assured Joshua of victory, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you" (Joshua 10:8). The Israelites launched a sudden attack, and the Lord threw the Amorites into confusion. As they fled, God intervened with a hailstorm that killed more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword (Joshua 10:10-11).

The Sun Stands Still

One of the most remarkable events during this battle was Joshua's prayer for the sun to stand still. "So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies" (Joshua 10:13). This miraculous extension of daylight allowed the Israelites to achieve a complete victory. The text emphasizes that "there has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel" (Joshua 10:14).

The Defeat of the Southern Kings

Following the victory at Gibeon, Joshua and the Israelites pursued the Amorite kings and their armies. The five kings were captured and executed, and their cities were systematically defeated. The campaign included the capture of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. Each city was put to the sword, and its inhabitants were devoted to destruction, as commanded by the Lord (Joshua 10:28-39).

Divine Assistance and Fulfillment of Promises

Throughout the conquest, the narrative underscores the divine assistance provided to Israel. The victories were attributed to the Lord's intervention and faithfulness to His promises. "So Joshua conquered the whole region... He left no survivors, but he devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded" (Joshua 10:40).

Significance

The Conquest of the Southern Cities demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs regarding the land of Canaan. It also highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of divine judgment upon the Canaanite nations. The campaign set the stage for further conquests in the north and the eventual settlement of the Israelite tribes in the Promised Land.