Joshua led the Israelites to a great victory over five enemy kings in Canaan. God caused the sun to stand still to give the Israelites more daylight to defeat their enemies. Joshua and the Israelites killed most of the enemy forces, but a few remained in fortified cities. Joshua displayed the defeated kings by having his captains place their feet on the kings' necks. He encouraged the Israelites that God would defeat all their remaining enemies as they had faith in him.

1. The Longest Day January 10, 2010

2. Joshua 10: 13b So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel . 15 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. I don't believe that verse 15 is in chronological order of these events. This is just a summary of the outcome of this great victory in battle for Israel.

3. 16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. 18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:

4. 19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand. We must not waste opportunities that God gives. Don't let fear hold you back. Nor doubt Nor over-thinking

5. 20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. A few got away , but this was a tremendous victory, and set the stage for the total domination of southern Canaan .

6. 21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. All the enemy that was left , and that wasn't many , were huddled inside their walled cities; Scared ! Nobody else called for war against Israel.

7. 22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. 23 And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

8. 24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

9. 25 And Joshua said unto them (his captains) , Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. God had told Joshua this. Joshua told his people.

10. 26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. 27 And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.

11. 28 -41 Mopping up the south

12. 42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel . 43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

13. But Jerusalem and Jarmuth, two of the five confederates ( v. 5 ), were bypassed. …. this pagan “island” in the land was to be troublesome to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin until it was conquered by David ( 2 Sam. 5:7 ). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty. Approximate Timeline : Exodus 1446 B.C.; Entered Canaan 1406 B.C. Joshua died and Judges began 1350 B.C. David died approximately 971 B.C. Used Bible Knowledge Commentary notes on Judges and 1 Samuel to conclude this.

14. Two strongholds of the enemy left to survive . There weren't many people left in them, but they grew and gave Israel trouble .

15. 1 Peter 2 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul ; When we get lax , leaving this or that stronghold of the devil in our minds, He will trouble our souls until we stamp him out. He told us, and we believed. He offered and we received.

16. 2 Corinthians 10 3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds ;) Casting down imaginations (logismos - reasoning, thoughts) , and every high thing that exalteth itself against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Spiritual warfare occurs in our minds and hearts. The devil comes against you in your mind! We must not allow him to build a stronghold.

17. He will tell you lies; refuse to believe them. He will offer you sweet temptations; refuse to receive them.

18. The Lord fought for Israel. 2 Chronicles 16 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (completely; friendly) toward Him. … God wants to show Himself strong in your behalf . Let your heart be friendly toward Him. Trust Him completely; He cares for you. God will supply your every need.