ADULT SEARCH LESSON 161 CONQUEST OF THE KINGS OF CANAAN
MEMORY VERSE: “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war” (Joshua 11:23).
TEXTS: Joshua chapters 10 to 12
The conquest of the Kings of Canaan was significant in the fulfilment and realisation of God’s promises and programmes for the nation of Israel. The eventual submission of the Gibeonites to be perpetual servants of Israel posed a serious security threat to king Adonizedec of Jerusalem.
As a result, he summoned the neighbouring cities to form an alliance against Gibeon, which they regarded as “a great city” and as “one of the royal cities”. The Lord gave the children of Israel victory over their enemies. This reflects the reaction of Satan and his hosts to an erstwhile sinner who forsakes sin and friendship with the world, to make peace with the Prince of peace.
This study focuses on the conquest of Adonizedec with multitudes of the Canaan kings and their kingdoms which paved way for the realisation of God’s promises and programmes for Israel, to give them the land. It also records an unprecedented incident when Joshua halted the movement of the sun and moon temporarily while God took vengeance on His enemies.
1. JOSHUA’S CONQUEST OF SOUTHERN CANAAN KINGDOMS (Joshua 10:1-43; Psalm 44:5; Proverbs 11:21; 16:5)
News of the destruction of Jericho and defeat of Ai had unsettled Adonizedec, king of Jerusalem and he determined to move quickly to avoid the same fate.
He beckoned on five neighbouring kings to join him to defend their territories. “Wherefore Adonizedec king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel” (Joshua 10:3,4).
The invited kings consented and were soon ready for a combined attack on Israel. They decided to deal with the Gibeonites first, because it was a great and royal city but had recently made peace with the Israelites. He perceived that the fate of Jericho and Ai awaited them if they did nothing to resist the advancing Israelites. The Scripture records that, “…the five kings…gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it” (Joshua 10:5).
The men of Gibeon sent a message to Joshua requesting an urgent help (Joshua 10:6). Joshua and his men of war responded promptly and triumphed over the combined forces of the five kings. After the destruction of the alliance, Joshua went ahead to conquer seven other cities beginning from Makkedah. His prompt and timely response to the distress call by the Gibeonites despite their previous deceit, teaches us that as Christians, we should always respond promptly to the call of our brethren when they are in danger.
Believers should always call upon the Lord in time of crises because He has promised to respond promptly. “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). The collapse and fall of the southern Canaan kings and kingdoms were not accidental. There were certain factors that facilitated this divinely ordered incident.
First was the fact that God had previously promised to deliver Israel’s enemies into their hands as they attempt to possess the Promised Land. Thus, the defeats of the enemy nations were simply a fulfilment or accomplishment of what God had promised. Second, the readiness with which Joshua responded to the Gibeonites’ distress call also led to the defeat of those kings and kingdoms. Third, God’s intervention on behalf of Israel and His assurance to Joshua were the major factors for the defeat of the enemy kings.
They fell because God was on Israel’s side. “And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel” (Joshua 10:42). Finally, Joshua exercised faith and authority in prayer. He asked the sun and moon to stay in their track pending a complete vengeance upon God’s enemies; and it happened. Our God hears and answers prayer (James 5:16). This is an encouragement to all believers to pray in faith. God will surely hear us. Believers learn from the victory of Israel over the kings of southern Canaan:
One, that when we are greatly frightened or distressed, we should call on Christ our Captain and He will calm our stormy sea (Mark 4:35).
Two, in helping the Gibeonites, the Israelites ended up helping themselves too. Instead of facing the kingdoms one after the other, they were routed together by way of the alliance.
Three, Joshua’s prompt response to the plight of the Gibeonites is commendable and instructive. Believers are commanded not to withhold help from whom it is due. “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” (Proverbs 24:11,12).
2. JOSHUA’S CONQUEST OF THE KINGS OF NORTHERN, EASTERN AND WESTERN CANAAN (Joshua 11:1-23; Psalm 118:10-12; Exodus 14:14; 15:3; 2 Chronicles 32:8; Isaiah 8:9,10; 1 Samuel 2:10).
Having conquered and secured the lands of southern Canaan, Joshua’s next target was the northern, eastern and western cities and kingdoms which needed to be confronted, contended with and conquered. Another opportunity to accomplish this enormous task came when Jabin, king of Hazor brought together different kings from the north, east and west of Jordan to fight against the children of Israel. “And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains… And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel” (Joshua 11:1-5).
This northern coalition was extra-ordinarily problematic to the children of Israel. First, it was a case of ten prominent kings launching an attack against them. Second, the northern coalition was by far more equipped than the army of Israel; while they used horses and chariots, Israel’s army was made up of foot soldiers. Third, in terms of size, they were larger than the Israelites. However, despite the odds against them, they emerged victorious. This teaches us that, “…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong… nor yet favour to men of skill…” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Their victory was simply a fulfilment of God’s promise that no man shall be able to stand before them (Deuteronomy 11:25). God is not limited by our little strength or the giant size of the enemy; “…for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). However, it is worth noting that this battle was the last main military outing that Joshua led before the sharing of Canaan land began. A closer look at this conflict and others reveals that there was always a sequence that these battles were ordered.
One, they began with individual cities of Jericho and Ai. God permitted this arrangement in consideration of their level of faith at the time.
Two, as their faith and confidence in Him grew, He permitted a coalition of five nations to confront them.
Three, having been on the winning side and becoming more mature in their knowledge of God, He permitted them to face the armies of the north which were more in number and better equipped. This divine arrangement shows that our God will not permit tests, temptations and challenges for which we have no corresponding grace and strength to come upon us (1 Corinthians 10:13).
3. JOURNAL OF CONQUERED CANAAN KINGS AND TERRITORIES (Joshua 12:1-24; 13:12; Judges 11:21- 24; Deuteronomy 7:1,2; 6:19; Psalms 78:55; 80:8).
“Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east” (Joshua 12:1). Israel’s conquest of powerful nations in the northern territory of Canaan is a great reminder that our God is a man of war and that divine intervention coupled with appropriate human strategies are what believers require for victory over their enemies.
Our text records the kings and kingdoms conquered by the Israelites. Reasons for the presentation of the list and description of their territories include:
One, to confirm to the then and present generations that God is faithful to all His promises and is dependable at all times.
Two, He keeps and respects record-keeping.
Three, that generations to come may learn from the account: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
Four, the list will encourage and strengthen our faith and confidence in God. If God helped Israel to conquer their enemies, He will help believers also to conquer their spiritual enemies and kingdoms of darkness.
Five, the list was to provide data for further planning in the final conquest and sharing of the land among the tribes; unconquered and conquered territories that needed follow-up would be revealed and addressed.
In the work of evangelisation and church planting, believers need records and facts for evaluation and planning, so as to know the progress that is being made. In conclusion, there is no battle that we cannot win as long as the Lord is with us. “…If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Questions for review:
- Enumerate the factors responsible for the defeat of the kings and kingdoms of southern Canaan.
- What can we learn from the fall of the kings of southern Canaan?
- What were the odds against Israel as they faced the northern coalition?
- State what Israel’s victory over the northern coalition teach us.
- Why does it appear that Israel’s enemies increased from individual cities to confederate kingdoms?
- Explain the believers’ assurance and confidence as they face tests, temptations and trials.
- Why was it necessary to present a list of all conquered kings and territories?
