Yehoshua - Perek 10: “Coalition of War”
Part 1: The Gathering of Five Surrounding Nations (10:1-27)
Summary
What brought about most of these battles?
A closer look reveals an interesting phenomenon: the enemies of Israel spent their valuable and assets time attacking Givon for their defection rather than just attacking Israel themselves. Of course, their motive was to demonstrate that others should not thinking of acting as the Givonites had, but why would they not just band together to fight Israel? The Malbim suggests that phenomenon was a gift that Hashem gave to Israel when they entered the land - that their enemies did not communicate or coordinate an attack on Israel. Had Givon sent a letter or emissaries to their neighboring kings, they may have created a stronger alliance in the first place. The same was true of the other kings who declared war in this chapter. Hashem ensured that they did not do so - in order to make the conquest easier.
Did the sun actually stop?
The verse tells us that Yehoshua prayed that the sun stop in Givon. Does that mean it actually stopped? The Malbim in his general approach to miracles, assumes that indeed celestial bodies actually stopped supernaturally. In effect, Yehoshua actually asked for extra time in this particular case. The Ralbag avoids the approach that miracles break the rules of nature. He argues that nothing supernatural happened. Yehoshua asked for the necessary speed so that he could conquer the enemy before the sun went down. It merely appeared like the sun went down slowly because of their ability to be able to catch up to their enemies.
Either way, the follow up question is why was it necessary for Yehoshua to ask for this? The Alshich introduces an interesting insight on this verse. He explains that in the days or yore, whenever someone or a nation would succeed or fail, people would attribute the experience to supernatural forces operating on their behalf. People would assume that they had the sun, the moon and various other forces at work supporting them. For this reason, Yehoshua demonstrated: “Look, I want to make sure that everybody understands unequivocally that this battle is fought only by Hashem.” He therefore asks all the celestial spheres, all the powers in heaven, to stop. He creates a clear reality with no room for doubt that they would win this war under Hashem himself, with no accompanying forces and there will be an unequivocal demonstration that He alone controls the tide of events.
Part 2: The Conquest of Other towns and their Allies (10:28-47)
Summary
Summary
- The rest of the kings in the local area realize that the inhabitants of Givon made peace with Israel and band together to attack Givon to punish them for their treachery.
- The kings from Yerushalayim, Chevron, Yarmus, Lachish and Eglon gather together to attack Givon.
- The people of Givon turn to Yehoshua for protection, he mobilizes his troops to wage war on the united force gathered against the city of Givon.
- The battle starts as a natural one, but as it continues and the enemies flee towards the slopes of Beis Choron, a storm breaks out and hailstones fall on them, killing more of them than the Israelites themselves manage to kill by the sword.
- Yehoshua calls out to Almighty during the battle to keep the sun and moon still to give them more daylight to capture their fleeing enemies.
- The five kings flee to a cave, Yehoshua instructs the soldiers to seal off the cave and sends the rest of the army to pursue their remaining enemies.
- When they have done so, they return to the cave, remove the kings trapped there and he tells his officers to place their feet on the kings’ necks as a metaphorical symbol of how they will conquer the rest of the kings.
- They then execute the kings, hang them until evening and put their bodies back in the caves in which they hid, closing them as a monument to the victory.
What brought about most of these battles?
A closer look reveals an interesting phenomenon: the enemies of Israel spent their valuable and assets time attacking Givon for their defection rather than just attacking Israel themselves. Of course, their motive was to demonstrate that others should not thinking of acting as the Givonites had, but why would they not just band together to fight Israel? The Malbim suggests that phenomenon was a gift that Hashem gave to Israel when they entered the land - that their enemies did not communicate or coordinate an attack on Israel. Had Givon sent a letter or emissaries to their neighboring kings, they may have created a stronger alliance in the first place. The same was true of the other kings who declared war in this chapter. Hashem ensured that they did not do so - in order to make the conquest easier.
Did the sun actually stop?
The verse tells us that Yehoshua prayed that the sun stop in Givon. Does that mean it actually stopped? The Malbim in his general approach to miracles, assumes that indeed celestial bodies actually stopped supernaturally. In effect, Yehoshua actually asked for extra time in this particular case. The Ralbag avoids the approach that miracles break the rules of nature. He argues that nothing supernatural happened. Yehoshua asked for the necessary speed so that he could conquer the enemy before the sun went down. It merely appeared like the sun went down slowly because of their ability to be able to catch up to their enemies.
Either way, the follow up question is why was it necessary for Yehoshua to ask for this? The Alshich introduces an interesting insight on this verse. He explains that in the days or yore, whenever someone or a nation would succeed or fail, people would attribute the experience to supernatural forces operating on their behalf. People would assume that they had the sun, the moon and various other forces at work supporting them. For this reason, Yehoshua demonstrated: “Look, I want to make sure that everybody understands unequivocally that this battle is fought only by Hashem.” He therefore asks all the celestial spheres, all the powers in heaven, to stop. He creates a clear reality with no room for doubt that they would win this war under Hashem himself, with no accompanying forces and there will be an unequivocal demonstration that He alone controls the tide of events.
Part 2: The Conquest of Other towns and their Allies (10:28-47)
Summary
- Israel go on to conquer Makeida, Livna and Lachish.
- While conquering Lachish, the neighboring town of Gezer attempts to send a help party against Yehoshua’s army. Their city is also captured.
- The cities of Eglon, Chevron and Devira are also captured, their kings are killed, then the cities themselves are completely destroyed.
- The chapter concludes by describing how Yehoshua captured them “pa’am achas” – which the Radak explains to mean in one quick battle, with no long sieges or campaigns.
- Yehoshua and the army return to their camp in Gilgal.