Study Desk

This we will do to them, even let them live, so that wrath will not be upon us for the oath which we swore to them."

So the leaders said to them, "Let them live." Thus they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.

Then Joshua called for them and spoke to them, saying, "Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,' when you are living nearly in the midst of us?

So now, you are cursed, and you shall never be cut loose from being slaves, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God."

So they answered Joshua and said, "Because it was certainly told to your slaves that Yahweh your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you and have done this thing.

But Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of Yahweh, to this day, in the place which He would choose.

"Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the sons of Israel."

Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, "Do not abandon your slaves; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us."

And Yahweh said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you."

So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies.Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stood in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

And there was no day like that before it or after it, when Yahweh listened to the voice of a man; for Yahweh fought for Israel.

but as for you, do not stand there; pursue your enemies and attack them in the rear. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for Yahweh your God has given them into your hand."

Now it happened that when they brought these kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." So they came near and put their feet on their necks.

Joshua then said to them, "Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus Yahweh will do to all your enemies with whom you fight."

Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish, and Joshua struck him and his people down until there was no survivor remaining for him.

And Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.

Then Yahweh said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give all of them over, slain, before Israel; you shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire."

And Yahweh gave them into the hand of Israel, so that they struck them down, and they pursued them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim and the valley of Mizpeh to the east; and they struck them until there was no survivor remaining for them.

Then Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms.

For it was of Yahweh to strengthen their hearts, to meet Israel in battle in order that he might devote them to destruction, that they might receive no mercy, but that he might destroy them, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.