Study Desk

But Joshua had ordered the people not to shout, not to say a word until he gave the order.

But you are not to take anything that is to be destroyed; if you do, you will bring trouble and destruction on the Israelite camp.

But Joshua spared the lives of the prostitute Rahab and all her relatives, because she had hidden the two spies that he had sent to Jericho. (Her descendants have lived in Israel to this day.)

So about three thousand Israelites made the attack, but they were forced to retreat.

You are to do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king, but this time you may keep its goods and livestock for yourselves. Prepare to attack the city by surprise from the rear."

with these orders: "Hide on the other side of the city, but not too far away from it; be ready to attack.

But the people of Gibeon, who were Hivites, heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

But the Israelites said, "Why should we make a treaty with you? Maybe you live nearby."

Look at our bread. When we left home with it and started out to meet you, it was still warm. But look! Now it is dry and moldy.

When we filled these wineskins, they were new, but look! They are torn. Our clothes and sandals are worn out from the long trip."

The Israelites accepted some food from them, but did not consult the Lord about it.

But the Israelites could not kill them, because their leaders had made a solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord , Israel's God. All the people complained to the leaders about this,

but they answered, "We have made our solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Now we cannot harm them.

Let them live, but they will have to cut wood and carry water for us." This was what the leaders suggested.

But at the same time he made them slaves, to cut wood and carry water for the people of Israel and for the Lord 's altar. To this day they have continued to do this work in the place where the Lord has chosen to be worshiped.

but don't stay there yourselves. Keep on after the enemy and attack them from the rear; don't let them get to their cities! The Lord your God has given you victory over them."

The Lord also gave the Israelites victory over this city and its king. They spared no one, but killed every person in it. They did to the king what they had done to the king of Jericho.

The Lord gave the Israelites victory over Lachish on the second day of the battle. Just as they had done at Libnah, they spared no one, but killed every person in the city.

King Horam of Gezer came to the aid of Lachish, but Joshua defeated him and his army and left none of them alive.

The people of Israel took all the valuables and livestock from these cities and kept them for themselves. But they put every person to death; no one was left alive.