After Joshua and the Israelites destroyed the cities of Jericho and Ai and formed a peace treaty with the Gibeonites, word of what happened spread through the lands. One of the kings who heard the news was Adoni-zedek. Now, Adoni-zedek was the king of Jerusalem. This was before the Israelites finished conquering the Promised Land. King Adoni-zedek feared what would happen next.
The Gibeonites were a mighty people. All their men were warriors, but they too feared what the Israelites would do and decided to make peace instead of war. In response, King Adoni-zedek sent word to the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, to join him in going to battle against the city of Gibeon for making peace with Joshua and the Israelites. The five kings gathered their forces and marched to Gibeon to battle.
When the five enemy armies arrived in Gibeon, the Gibeonites sent word to Joshua and the Israelites asking for help. So, Joshua and the brave Israelite warriors marched all night long to reach their ally and help. God assured Joshua that he had already won the battle. When Joshua and the Israelites arrived, God threw the enemy armies into confusion. The enemy armies started to flee, but they could not escape. God threw large stones from heaven. Most died by the hailstones. Others were taken by the sword. Joshua prayed to God to let the sun stand still at Gibeon until they had defeated all the enemy armies. As Joshua requested, God made the sun stand still for almost a full day until Joshua and the Israelites had finished destroying the armies of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. No other day in history has occurred such as this where the sun stood still. Seeing that they were losing, the five enemy kings fled to save their lives.
Resource: Joshua 9 & 10
- Although the Israelites nor the Gibeonites made threats of war against Jerusalem, the king of Jerusalem decided to attack. Why did he attack? Was it a good idea? Could he have chosen an alternative?
- The king of Jerusalem called in other cities to help him attack. Have you ever had a situation where you feared you could not win and called on someone to help? Who did you call? Why did you call them? Was it a good idea?
- When the enemy armies attacked, the Gibeonites asked the Israelites to help. Why do you think they chose the Israelites to come to their aid?
- Before Joshua and the Israelites fought, God assured Joshua that they would win. What assurance have you received from God that you would win a battle or overcome a tough situation?
- God assisted the Israelites in fighting the battle by throwing down hailstones from the heavens. How has God assisted you in fighting your battles?
- Joshua made a request to God to let the sun stand still until the battle was completely won. Why do you think he asked this? What would you have asked God to do?
- When they saw that they were losing, the enemy kings fled to save their lives. As leaders how are we supposed to act in battle?
- And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” Joshua 10:8 ESV
- At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua 10:12-14
- Acting out of fear can lead to poor decision-making and defeat.
- When you are in battle, choose Godly people who will stand by your side.
- When you go into battle, courageously ask God for what you need to win the battle.
- Being called a leader is more than a title; you should reflect leadership on the inside.
Father God, thank you for being an awesome God and going into battle with us. Thank you for your calm assurance, your overcoming grace. We pray that we like Joshua will courageously ask for what we need in battle and triumph in your name. We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
What did you learn from this story, and how will you apply it to your life?