Joshua 10:16-43
Q.1. How did Joshua deal with the fleeing kings? Why? Why were their enemies not to return to their cities? What past criticisms were silenced? – (Josh.10:16-21)
If Joshua had allowed Israel to focus on eliminating the five kings, these nations would have returned to their cities, and re-grouped. He instructed his soldiers to block the exits of the cave in which these kings were hiding and set a guard (Josh.10:16-18). He commanded his troops to pursue and destroy their enemies. This would not be futile – … for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand (Josh.10:19). Not only had Israel been defeated in their first attempt at conquering Ai, but the people had also been upset with the leaders for entering into a covenant with the Gibeonites (Josh.9:14-15, 18). However, now the leaders and their people were one, and – … no one uttered a word against any of the sons of Israel (Josh.10:21).
Q.2. How were the five kings dealt with? Why were their bodies taken down at sundown? What did Israel do to Makkedah? – (Josh.10:22-28 c.f. Dt.21:22-23)
After the resounding victory, Joshua commanded his men to bring the five kings from the cave (Josh.10:22-23). He then called for the chiefs of Israel to symbolically stand on the necks of the kings, put them to death, and hang them publicly. He then said – … Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight (Josh.10:25). In accordance with the Law – 22 “If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is cursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance (Dt.21:22-23 c.f. Gal.3:13). Israel completely destroyed the city of Makkedah and left no survivors (Dt.10:28).
Q.3. Where did Joshua go after the victory of Makkedah? What was their policy? Why? How was the defeat of the southern cities explained? – (Josh.10:29-43 c.f. Dt.18:9-14)
From Makkedah, Joshua led a campaign down south, to wipe out the five nations confederacy, and eliminate the other neighbouring cities. It was recorded that – The Lord gave it also with its king into the hands of Israel, and he struck it and every person who was in it with the edge of the sword. He left no survivor in it. This he did to its king just as he had done to the king of Jericho (Josh.10:30 c.f. Josh.10:32-33, 35, 37, 39). Why was Joshua so ruthless? It was because he was aware of God’s command that was given to him while Moses still lived – 9 When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. 14 For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so (Dt.18:9-14). In summary – Joshua struck all the land, the hill country and the Negev and the lowland and the slopes and all their kings. He left no survivor, but he utterly destroyed all who breathed, just as the Lord the God of Israel had commanded (Josh.10:40).