‘ Then said Joshua, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.’ All being now settled Joshua turned his attention to the kings trapped in the cave at Makkedah. He commanded his men to open the caves, deal with any opposition, and bring the kings to him. read more
Joshua 10:1-Daniel : . Defeat and Death of the Five Kings.— Here we have the account of the famous battle of Bethhoron. Five kings band themselves together against Gibeon; the Gibeonites send for help to Joshua, who comes upon the enemy suddenly and completely routs them. It is hardly necessary to say that the adjuration to the sun to stand still is purely poetical, and is to be compared with the words of Deborah’ s song, “ The stars in their courses fought against Sisera.” The compiler of... read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Joshua 10:21. None moved his tongue] A proverbial phrase, intimating that even the most offensive and insolent should be swed into absolute silence (cf. Exodus 11:7; also Jdt. 11:19). Joshua 10:24. Put your feet upon the necks] The customary token of the triumph of the conquerors and the humiliation of their enemies. Joshua commands it here as an earnest of the victories yet to be won (Joshua 10:25). From this custom such passages as Psalms 110:1, Isaiah 26:6, derive their... read more
Chapter 10In verse six of chapter ten,The men of Gibeon sent an urgent message to Joshua that they were being attacked. They said, "Now we have this mutual defense pact with you, so come to our aid." And Joshua honoring the pact that he had made, took his men of war, in a forced march all night long, and they came to the area of Gibeon where the Gibeonites were being attacked by these kings with all their chariots, and horses and all. The Lord spoke unto Joshua before going into battle, and... read more
Joshua 10:1 . Adonizedek, lord of righteousness. Zedek was common in the names of the kings of Jerusalem, as Melchizedek. Joshua 10:11 . Great stones hail stones, as in many versions. So is Psalms 68:14. “When the Almighty scattered kings, it was white as snow in Salmon.” The hail in Egypt destroyed men and cattle. Diodorus Siculus says, that “as the Persians were on their march to plunder the temple of Delphos, a violent storm of thunder and lightning fell on their camp, which... read more
Joshua 10:15-27Bring out those five kings.The prostrate kingsThe kings of the Canaanites fled and hid themselves, but the Divine vengeance followed them; and after the rout of their hosts was completed they themselves were taken and put to death. Before this, however, they were humbled in the sight of Israel; and the captains were bidden by Joshua to put their feet on the necks of their foes. Thus their thorough subjection was pointed out; and the people of God were distinguished as triumphing... read more
Jos 10:22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. Ver. 22. bring out those five kings. ] So shall Christ one day say of all, whether kings or prisoners, lords or rag-a-muffins, that will not have him to reign over them. Those that will not now obey that sweet voice, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden," shall then have no other voice to obey but "Go, ye cursed," &c. read more
1 Samuel 15:32 Joshua 10:16-Job : Reciprocal: Joshua 10:18 - General Judges 5:19 - kings Judges 8:12 - took Isaiah 24:22 - they shall Ezekiel 24:6 - bring read more
THE FIVE KINGS EXECUTED, Joshua 10:22-27. 24. Called for all the men of Israel This must be limited to the bravest warriors; those only were at Makkedah; the rest of the people were at Gilgal. See Joshua 10:7, note, also Joshua 10:43. A grand assembly of the army was made for the formal humiliation and public execution of the five kings. It was desirable to make the execution as impressive as possible. Put your feet upon the necks of these kings Symbolical actions are very common in the... read more
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G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Joshua 10:1-43
This action of the Gibeonites in securing their own safety aroused the anger of the confederate kings and they proceeded to act against Gibeon in order to punish it. In their peril the men of Gibeon appealed to Joshua He instantly responded, for the gathering together of these kings created his opportunity. By forced marches he reached the scene of action. The rout of the kings was complete and was made more terrible by the storm of hail which swept upon them as they fled, killing more than... read more