Five kings hid in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua put a large rock in the mouth of the cave and continued to pursue the rest of the enemies. They defeated the enemies completely. When they came back from defeating their enemies, they put to death the five kings who were hiding in the cave. Their bodies were exposed on poles and shamed.

Joshua and the Israelites continually pursued the neighboring enemies and defeated them. The nations defeated were Makkedah, Libnah, all the way to Hebron, and then Debir.

Joshua subdued the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills, and many other cities and kings. Verse 42 reminds us how this was possible. "Because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel." Was it because of Joshua's battle strategy? Was it because the Israelites were stronger and braver? No, it was all because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. When God is with us, and he fights for us, we will gain the complete victory as the Israelites had won the complete victory.


Application: Lord, thank you for fighting for the Israelites and giving them complete victory. Help us to trust that you are fighting for us each day.
One Word: God is fighting for us.