Introduction

‘These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon, including all the eastern side of the Arabah: Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge—from the middle of the gorge—to the Jabbok River, which is the border of the Ammonites. This included half of Gilead. He also ruled over the eastern Arabah from the Sea of Galilee to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), to Beth Jeshimoth, and then southward below the slopes of Pisgah. And the territory of Og, king of Bashan, one of the last of the Rephaites, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei. He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salekah, all of Bashan to the border of the people of Geshur and Maakah, and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon. Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the Israelites conquered them. And Moses the servant of the LORD gave their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh to be their possession.” Joshua 12:1-6

LIST OF DEFEATED KINGS

East of Jordan, two kings were defeated east of the Jordan, Joshua 12:1-5. Sihon and Og, Moses led this victory, Joshua 12:6.

Coffman, in his commentary, says the following concerning the Rephaites, Joshua 12:4.

‘These were one of the various tribes of giants, like the Anakims, Zuzims, Emims, of whom we read in the land of Canaan.’

The land was given to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua 12:6.

“Here is a list of the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir. Joshua gave their lands as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their tribal divisions. The lands included the hill country, the western foothills, the Arabah, the mountain slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev. These were the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.” Joshua 12:7-8

West of Jordan, the Canaanites were defeated from east to west and from north to south, Joshua 12:7-8. These were the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, Joshua 12:8.

“These were the kings: the king of Jericho one the king of Ai (near Bethel), one the king of Jerusalem, one the king of Hebron, one the king of Jarmuth, one the king of Lachish, one the king of Eglon, one the king of Gezer, one the king of Debir, one the king of Geder, one the king of Hormah, one the king of Arad, one the king of Libnah, one the king of Adullam, one the king of Makkedah, one the king of Bethel, one the king of Tappuah, one the king of Hepher, one the king of Aphek, one the king of Lasharon, one the king of Madon, one the king of Hazor, one the king of Shimron Meron, one the king of Akshaph, one the king of Taanach, one the king of Megiddo, one the king of Kedesh, one the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one the king of Dor (in Naphoth Dor), one the king of Goyim in Gilgal, one the king of Tirzah one, thirty-one kings in all.’ Joshua 12:9-24

Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.

‘The identification of several of these places is still uncertain: the same name (e.g., Aphek, Joshua 12:18) being applied to various places in various parts of Palestine. Geder, or Gedor, Joshua 15:58, a city in the mountain district in the south of the territory of Judah, is no doubt the modern ‘Jedur’.’

Cook, in his commentary, says the following.

‘Those cities mentioned in Joshua 12:10-18 either belonged to the league of the Southern Canaanites, the power of which was broken in the battle of Beth-Horon or were at any rate conquered in the campaign following the battle. Those mentioned in Joshua 12:19-24 were in like manner connected with the northern confederates who were defeated at the Waters of Merom.’

In all, thirty-one kings are listed as being defeated, Joshua 12:9-24. God had truly been with them.

Butler, in his commentary, says the following.

‘The description was not complete. Shechem is not mentioned, and the hills of Ephraim are sparsely represented, as is the territory north of Hazor. Completeness is not the object. The writer seeks to compile a list that will impress the readers with the greatness of the feat of God in working for Israel and of the greatness of the leadership of Joshua in following the example of Moses and completing the task first given to Moses. Still, the writer is aware that much remains to be done.’

CONCLUSION

God has the right to punish sin, and men deserve it, Leviticus 18:1-30. He’s done it before, Genesis 6:1-8 / Galatians 6:13 / Genesis 18:16-33. Sin demands it, Romans 1:18-32 / Romans 6:23 / Galatians 5:19-21, and surely judgment is coming again.

Christians must be prepared to fight today, and they must realise they are soldiers, 2 Timothy 2:3-4 / 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. All Christians must be dressed in battle attire, Romans 13:12 / 2 Corinthians 10:4 / 1 Thessalonians 5:8 / Ephesians 6:10-18. The whole enemy must be defeated; God’s instructions to His people had been to utterly destroy the Canaanites.

In some instances, this was not always done, and as a result, the people suffered for it. So sin must be completely eliminated from us, James 1:21 / Ephesians 4:22 / 1 Peter 2:1.

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