II. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE THIRTY-ONE KINGS
OF THE THIRTY-ONE NATIONS IN THE HILL COUNTRY
AND THE LOWLAND WEST OF JORDAN

Joshua 10:28—12:24 is a record of the destruction of the thirty-one kings of the thirty-one nations in the hill country and the lowland west of the Jordan, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon unto Mount Halak going up to Seir.

A. Jehovah, the God of Israel, Fighting for Israel

Joshua 10:42 says that Joshua took all these kings and their lands at one time, “for Jehovah, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.” When certain other kings came together to fight with Israel, Jehovah said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow at this time I will deliver all of them up slain before Israel” (11:6a).

B. According to the Command
of Moses the Servant of Jehovah

Joshua took all the cities of these kings with their kings, struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them. This he did according to the command of Moses the servant of Jehovah (v. 12). Verse 15 says, “As Jehovah had commanded Moses His servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that Jehovah had commanded Moses.” Therefore, Joshua took the whole land according to all that Jehovah had spoken to Moses (v. 23).

C. According to God’s Intention

The destruction of the thirty-one kings of the thirty-one nations was according to God’s intention. Concerning this, verse 20 says, “It was of Jehovah to harden their heart to meet Israel in battle so that He might utterly destroy them and that they might not receive mercy but be destroyed as Jehovah commanded Moses.” From this we see that God’s intention was not to have mercy on these kings but to destroy them.

1. Israel Burning None of the Cities
That Stood on Their Mounds except Hazor

Verse 13 says that Israel burned none of the cities that stood on their mounds except Hazor.

2. Some of the Anakim
Being Left in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod

Some of the Anakim were left in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (v. 22; cf. Num. 13:33).

III. THE DESTRUCTION OF HESHBON
UNDER KING SIHON
AND BASHAN UNDER KING OG EAST OF THE JORDAN

Joshua 12:1-6 speaks of the destruction of Heshbon under King Sihon and Bashan under King Og east of the Jordan.

A. By Moses and the Children of Israel

The destruction of Heshbon and Bashan was by Moses and the children of Israel (v. 6a).

B. Before Israel’s Crossing of Jordan

This destruction took place before Israel’s crossing of Jordan (v. 1a).

C. Given by Moses to the Tribes of Reuben
and Gad and the Half-tribe of Manasseh

The land of Heshbon under King Sihon and of Bashan under King Og was given by Moses to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh (v. 6b).