With the victories of Jericho and Ai behind him, Joshua then turned his attention toward leading the Israelites in completing the conquests of the peoples who had occupied the Promised Land.

The fame and fear of the Israelite forces was spreading in the area, but in chapter 9 of Joshua we read of the Gibeonites playing a trick on the Israelites that resulted in a treaty between the two. Instead of defeating the Gibeon-ites, the Israelites were placed in a position of having to defend them.

Chapter 10 begins with Adonizedek, the king of Jerusalem, beginning an alliance of five kings of the Amorites (himself and the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon) and attacking the Gibeonites because they see them as traitors. The Gibeonites appeal to Joshua for help, so he attacks the Amorites and eventually defeats their forces and kills the five kings.

Chapter 11 describes the last phase of the Israelites taking the Promised Land. In chapter 10 Joshua had led his forces in conquering the southern part of Canaan, but in chapter 11 he is leading the conquest of northern Canaan.

The northern kings had joined forces in an attempt to stand up to the conquering Israelites, but Joshua led his forces in routing them, leading to the conquest of the entire land of Canaan. For the first time the land would enjoy a rest from war (Joshua 11:23).

Finally, what God had long ago promised the ancestors of the people of Israel had happened. They enjoyed a time of rest and security in their own land. Now all that was left to do was divide the land among the twelve tribes, an event that is recorded in Joshua 13–24.

Study Questions

What has God begun in your life that you know He will complete?

What tasks has God put before you that you know you must complete before you can fully enjoy His rest?