When Adoni-Zedek, the king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had destroyed Ai just as he had Jericho—and that Gibeon had made peace with Israel—his heart trembled. Gibeon was no small city; it was strong and filled with brave warriors. To him, this alliance meant danger.
Fearing Israel's growing power, Adoni-Zedek sent messages to four other Amorite kings—Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. "Come," he urged them, "let us attack Gibeon, for they have betrayed us by making peace with Joshua and Israel."
The five kings joined forces, their armies marching together to surround Gibeon. When the Gibeonites saw the armies advancing, they sent word to Joshua at Gilgal: "Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! All the kings of the hill country have gathered against us."
Joshua wasted no time. He marched through the night with his best soldiers. Then the Lord spoke to him: "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. None of them will stand against you."
By dawn, Joshua and his army reached Gibeon and took the enemy by surprise. Confusion spread among the Amorites as the Lord Himself fought for Israel. They fled down the road from Beth Horon, and as they ran, the Lord hurled huge hailstones from the sky. More died from the hail than from Israel's swords.
In the midst of battle, Joshua spoke to the Lord before all Israel and said, "O sun, stand still over Gibeon; and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon!"
And the sun stood still. The moon stopped in its place. Daylight lingered until Israel had completely defeated their enemies. Never before or since has there been a day like it—a day when the Lord listened to the voice of a man. Truly, the Lord fought for Israel.
Afterward, the five kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. When Joshua heard of it, he ordered the cave sealed with large stones and guards posted, while the army continued to pursue their enemies. Once victory was secured, Joshua said, "Open the cave and bring out the five kings."
The kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon were brought before him. Joshua called the commanders of Israel and said, "Come, place your feet on the necks of these kings." They obeyed, and Joshua declared, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for this is what the Lord will do to all your enemies."
Then Joshua struck and killed the kings and hung their bodies on trees until evening. At sunset, they were taken down and placed back in the cave they had hidden in. Large stones were rolled against the entrance, and they remain there to this day.
That same day, Joshua captured Makkedah, destroying it completely. From there, Israel moved on to Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. Each city and its king fell, every enemy defeated, none left alive—just as the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded.
Joshua subdued the whole land—from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza, from Goshen to Gibeon. Every victory was part of one great campaign, for the Lord Himself fought for Israel.
And when all was done, Joshua and the people returned to the camp at Gilgal, where peace once again rested upon Israel.