Read Joshua 12
List of Defeated Kings
1 These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon,including all the eastern side of the Arabah:
2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.
He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge—from the middle of the gorge—to the Jabbok River ,which is the border of the Ammonites. This included half of Gilead. 3 He also ruled over the eastern Arabah from the Sea of Galileea] to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), to Beth Jeshimoth,and then southward below the slopes of Pisgah.
4 And the territory of Og king of Bashan, one of the last of the Rephaites, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei.
5 He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salekah, all of Bashanto the border of the people of Geshur and Maakah,and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
6 Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the Israelites conquered them. And Moses the servant of the Lord gave their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh to be their possession.
7 Here is a list of the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir. Joshua gave their lands as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their tribal divisions. 8 The lands included the hill country, the western foothills, the Arabah, the mountain slopes, the wilderness and the Negev. These were the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. These were the kings:
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the king of Jericho one the king of Ai (near Bethel) one
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the king of Jerusalem one the king of Hebron one
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the king of Jarmuth one the king of Lachish one
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the king of Eglon one the king of Gezer one
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the king of Debir one the king of Geder one
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the king of Hormah one the king of Arad one
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the king of Libnah one the king of Adullam one
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the king of Makkedah one the king of Bethel one
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the king of Tappuah one the king of Hepher one
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the king of Aphek one the king of Lasharon one
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the king of Madon one the king of Hazor one
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the king of Shimron Meron one the king of Acshaph one
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the king of Taanach one the king of Megiddo one
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the king of Kedesh one the king of Jokneam in Carmel one
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the king of Dor (in Naphoth Dor) one the king of Goyim in Gilgal one
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the king of Tirzah one thirty-one kings in all.
Go Deeper
This chapter probably feels far less exciting to read than it would have been to experience. This passage describes the many different kings that were defeated by the armies of Moses and Joshua. While these kings are just names on a page now, each one of them represents a battle that God won for the people of Israel. In all of these instances, the Israelites were forced to fight against someone who “owned” the land. These kings were the ultimate authority over the cities in which they ruled. The Isrealites had no chance against these armies! And yet, each time God won the battle for them. It’s a reminder of how Daniel describes God in Daniel 2:20-21, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.”
While we don’t know all the details behind each of these kings, we do know what comes with holding that title. These leaders were no doubt confident in their position, arrogant in their power, and settled in their place. These kings were well established and no one could remove them…but God.
This chapter should be a reminder to you that God can change your life in an instant. That sin that has taken hold of your heart for years can be removed. That relationship you thought was dead can be restored. God is not scared off by kings, let alone the problems that you are dealing with today. Joshua 12 served as a reminder to the Israelites that what God did before, He could do again. Maybe today you need to make your own list of the giants that God has defeated in your life. What has he saved you from in the past? Let that list be a reminder that there’s nothing God can’t do for you in the days ahead.
Questions
- Why do you think this chapter was included in the Bible?
- Why didn’t God just give the Israelites unoccupied land?
- What are some established things in your life that you want to remove or change?
Did You Know?
The list of kings given in Joshua 12 serve as an important reminder to us that what we are reading is history. They are not fictional characters in a fictional, far-away, made-up land. These are real names, real places, and real time periods and God was at work in their midst.
5 responses to “Joshua 12”
“Thirty-one kings are named. Generally speaking, the whole land was conquered (Jos 10:40; Jos 11:23; Jos 21:43). However, small groups of Canaanites remained (Jos 13:2–7; Jos 15:63; Jos 23:4; Jdg 1:2, Jdg 21, Jdg 27, Jdg 29–31, Jdg 33, Jdg 35) who, after Joshua’s death, made trouble for Israel. Also, the land of the Philistines, Sidon, and the Lebanon region were still unconquered.”
Halley’s Bible Handbook
It is God who brought judgment upon the Canaanites due to their wickedness. This was not something that was due to Israel’s virtue or worthiness. BUT GOD had a specfic plan and He made the way for them to accomplish it. But they did not completely get rid of the Canninites and that caused trouble. We have specfic purposes and plans today but without God it will not turn out so well. He is the light in our darkness, the strength in our weakness, and the hope in our struggles. Through our walk and believing in what Christ did through His infinite love and sacrifice, we can triumph over life’s enemies and are made more than conquerors. We are not going to get it ALL right BUT GOD does give us His promises of His continual presence in our life as we believe and that both allows us to receive forgiveness for our failures and power to live a life of obedience to the Lord.
God thank You for Your promises that will help in the time of need and that You are for me not against. God thank You for forgiveness when I fail and the power to get back up to keep going for Your Glory and Honor. I am so thankful for knowing that I know that when this life is over I will be with You for ever more. God thank You that I use my minutes wisely. God thank You that You are the reson for my breath and that I fully honor those inhales/exhales today in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was a bit distracted and confused by all of the “one” references. Here’s what the AI platform Perplexity says about the reference:
Purpose of Listing “One” After Each King in Joshua 12
Emphasis on Completeness and Individual Victories
In Joshua 12, the phrase “one” is listed after each king to emphasize that each was a distinct, individual victory by the Israelites. By enumerating each king separately, the text underscores the completeness and thoroughness of Israel’s conquest—each king and his territory were individually overcome and counted as a separate triumph.
Historical and Literary Function
This listing style mirrors ancient records, such as those found in Egyptian and Assyrian inscriptions, which would detail conquered cities or rulers one by one. The format serves as an official record or tally, highlighting the total number of defeated kings (thirty-one in all), and demonstrating the magnitude of Israel’s success under God’s guidance.
Counting Toward a Total
The repetition of “one” after each king also serves a practical purpose: it allows readers to count each conquest, culminating in the final total at the end of the list. This methodical approach reinforces the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment of God’s promise to give the land to Israel.
Summary Table
King Listed Number (after each)
King of Jericho one
King of Ai one
… …
King of Tirzah one
Total thirty-one
Conclusion
The repeated use of “one” after each king in Joshua 12 is a deliberate literary device to individually acknowledge every victory, to provide a clear and complete record, and to emphasize the totality of Israel’s conquest in fulfilling God’s promise.
Link to reference below:
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/why-in-joshua-chapter-12-does-3crcoHAiQPqB6kBp2i1rsA
Speaking of earthly kings, I’m recalling the narrative in 1 Samuel 8 where the Israelites demanded a king, because they wanted to be like other nations with a king who would lead them, judge them, and fight their battles. The Lord, however, told Samuel that the people were rejecting Him as their king and that He would allow them to have a human king. This does not turn out well for them. Samuel told the people what the consequences of having a king would be, warning them that the king would take their sons for his army, their daughters for his household, their crops and possessions, and even their freedom. Despite these warnings, the people insisted on having a king, and the Lord instructed Samuel to grant their request.We must be very careful what we ask for. King Jesus is the only one who saves!
24 “thirty-one kings in all”
Wow! 31 victories would be a lot to expect! But one victory leads to another and before you know it, you’ve conquered 31 kings! I need to remember that victories in life come one at a time, not all at once!
This chapter was likely recorded to be a historical account to help with biblical evidence defined to see that all this stuff took place and happened