Joshua 10: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Joshua 10 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, learned of Israel's victories over Ai and Jericho. He feared Gibeon, a strong city allied with Israel, and called on four other Amorite kings for help against it (vv. 1-6).

Key verse

“The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.”
Joshua 10:13 (WEB)

Outline

Joshua 10:1–6 The Amorite Alliance Forms Against Gibeon
Joshua 10:7–14 Joshua's Response and Divine Aid
Joshua 10:15–27 The Defeat and Execution of the Kings
Joshua 10:28–43 Further Conquests and Fulfillment of God's Promise

Discussion questions

In v6, why do the men of Gibeon ask Joshua for help?
What does Joshua do in vv. 9-10 before engaging the enemy?
In vv. 12-13, what are the implications of Joshua commanding the sun to 'stand still'?
In v14, why does it say there was no day like that before or after?
When have you faced a situation where you felt God was 'fighting for' you?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Joshua 10: Joshua 23, Exodus 14, Joshua 15.

Before next time: read Joshua 11.