Israel did as they were commanded by God and killed all the people from Ai, 12,000 in all. Israel did carry off the livestock and plunder as the Lord had told them to. Joshua hung the king of Ai until evening when he gave orders to bring him down and throw his body in the entrance to the city. They covered his body with rocks.
Joshua built an altar on Mt. Ebal according to instructions written in the Book of the Law of Moses. They offered burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. Joshua copied the law on stones in front of all the people, so everyone saw it. Joshua then read every law to everyone.
The Gibeonites heard about the destruction of their neighbors and decided to try a trick to save their lives. They put on old clothes and sandals, carried old broken and patched wineskins, and carried moldy bread and went to the Israelites and offered to become their servants. Joshua and the Israelites listened to their story and believed them because they didn't pray about it! But it worked out because God backed them. When the Israelites figured out the truth, they asked the Gibeonites why they lied and they told them that it was because they didn't want to die. They became woodcutters and water carriers for all Israel.
The king of Jerusalem became alarmed as he learned about Ai and Gibeon. He appealed to 4 other kings of neighboring cities to join with him and attack the Israelites. They all got together (the 5 kings of the Amorites) and attacked Gibeon. Joshua marched all night to reach them and took them by surprise. The Lord confused them and they were defeated. Some of the fighters ran and the Israelites chased after them and killed them. God sent giant hail and more soldiers were killed by hail than by the sword. On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua asked the Lord in front of everyone to make the sun stand still. So the sun didn't set for a day.
Joshua found out that the 5 kings had hidden in a cave. Joshua ordered the entrance blocked and guarded while they finished killing the enemies of God. Then Joshua had the kings brought out and had all the men of Israel put their feet on the necks of the 5 kings, and he told them that this was what the Lord would do to all their enemies and not to be afraid. Then he struck and killed the 5 kings and hung them on trees until evening. He had them taken down and thrown into the cave and the entrance closed. Joshua also took Makkedah and killed its king and everyone in the city. Soon the entire territory was defeated in the same way.
Tomorrow read Joshua 11:10-ch14
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