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Canaanite Tribe Deceives Israel
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Joshua’s Long Day
The surrender of Gibeon to Israel filled the kings of Canaan with
dismay. They took immediate steps for revenge on those who had
made peace with the invaders. Five of the Canaanite kings allied
themselves against Gibeon. The Gibeonites were unprepared for
defense and sent a message to Joshua at Gilgal: “Do not forsake
your servants; come up to us quickly, save us, and help us, for all
the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered
together against us.” The danger threatened not only the people of
Gibeon, but also Israel. This city controlled the passes to central and
southern Palestine, and Israel must hold it in order to conquer the
country.
The overwhelmed Gibeonites were afraid that Joshua would
reject their request for help because of the way they had deceived the
Israelites. But since they had submitted to Israel and had accepted
the worship of God, he felt obligated to protect them. And the Lord
encouraged him. “Do not fear them,” was the divine message, “for I
have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand
before you.” “So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people
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of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.”
The allied princes had just positioned their armies around the
city when Joshua was upon them. The immense host fled from the
Hebrews up the mountain pass to Beth Horon, and from the top
they rushed down the steep descent on the other side, where a fierce
hailstorm burst upon them. “The Lord cast down large hailstones
from heaven. ... There were more who died from the hailstones than
the children of Israel killed with the sword.”
While the Amorites were fleeing in panic, Joshua looked down
from the ridge above and saw that the day would be too short to
finish his work. If not fully defeated, their enemies would fight them
again. “Then Joshua spoke to the Lord ..., and he said in the sight
of Israel, ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of
Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people
had revenge upon their enemies. ... The sun stood still in the midst
of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.”
Before evening came, God’s promise to Joshua had been ful-
filled—the enemy had been given into his hand. The events of that