The conquest of Canaan was a pivotal event in Israelite history that occurred after the Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Joshua. God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants hundreds of years earlier (Genesis 12:1-7). Now, after 40 years of wilderness wanderings, the Israelites were finally ready to take possession of the Promised Land.
The book of Joshua records how the conquest unfolded over a period of 5-7 years. After crossing the Jordan River and establishing a base at Gilgal, the Israelites marched on the city of Jericho. At God’s command, they marched around the city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, after marching around 7 times, the priests blew their trumpets, the people shouted, and the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed allowing the Israelites to charge in and capture the city (Joshua 6).
After destroying Jericho, Joshua led the Israelites to victory over the city of Ai (Joshua 7-8). However, when the Gibeonites deceived Joshua into making a treaty with them, a coalition of five Amorite kings assembled to attack Gibeon. Joshua came to the Gibeonites’ aid and defeated the Amorites with God’s help (Joshua 9-10). During this battle the sun stood still for almost a full day in response to Joshua’s prayer (Joshua 10:12-14).
In the south, Joshua defeated the five kings of the Amorites as well as the Anakim giants who had terrorized the Israelites 40 years earlier (Joshua 10-11). He defeated a coalition of northern kings led by Jabin, king of Hazor, burnt Hazor to the ground, and hamstrung their horses (Joshua 11). Joshua then proceeded to defeat all the kings and peoples west of the Jordan from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza (Joshua 11).
After defeating 31 kings (Joshua 12:9-24), Joshua divided up the conquered land among the 12 tribes (Joshua 13-21). The Levites were allotted cities to dwell in but did not receive their own territory (Joshua 21). Six cities of refuge were also established for those guilty of manslaughter to find protection from avengers (Joshua 20).
Two tribes and a half who had settled east of the Jordan were sent home with Joshua’s blessing after helping their brethren conquer Canaan (Joshua 22). As he neared death at the age of 110, Joshua challenged the people to remain faithful to God and drive out any remaining inhabitants in the land (Joshua 23-24). After renewing the covenant with God at Shechem, Joshua died, thus ending a career marked by faithful leadership and military prowess.
Several key aspects of the conquest narrative deserve further comment:
1) The conquest was enacted under God’s command and effected by His power. The Israelites won battle after battle because God fought for them (Joshua 10:14, 42). Even the walls of Jericho were toppled by God’s might, not Israel’s strength (Joshua 6:20).
2) The conquest was God’s means of judgment on the Canaanites’ sin. The native peoples of Canaan were depraved, morally corrupt cultures that practiced child sacrifice, cult prostitution, and other abominations (Leviticus 18:24-30). God had patiently endured them for centuries until their sin “reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16) and demanded divine retribution.
3) God used Israel as His instrument of judgment. Just as God had called Abraham to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:3), He now called Abraham’s descendants to destroy the sinful inhabitants of Canaan. This was a one-time command for a specific purpose unlike any other war Israel would fight.
4) The conquest was incomplete. The Israelites conquered central and southern Canaan but failed to completely drive out the inhabitants in regions like the Jezreel Valley and the coast. This partial obedience led to ongoing conflict and spiritual compromise in years to come.
5) The conquest showcased God’s faithfulness. God miraculously gave Israel victory after victory in fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite their flaws, God still accomplished His purposes through Israel.
6) The conquest foreshadowed deeper spiritual realities. The book of Hebrews presents Canaan as a type of the “rest” we find in Christ (Hebrews 3-4). Just as Joshua led Israel to victory and rest in Canaan, so Jesus leads us to eternal rest through His finished work.
In summary, the conquest of Canaan was bloody and troubling in some respects, but it accomplished God’s righteous purposes. Israel took possession of the Promised Land, the wicked Canaanites were justly punished, and God’s covenant promises were powerfully fulfilled. The conquest serves as both a warning against sin and a testimony to God’s enduring faithfulness.
After the initial conquest, the period of the Judges began. The book of Judges reveals that Israel’s obedience and drive to fully possess the land quickly diminished after Joshua’s death. The Israelites failed to drive out all the Canaanites as God had commanded them (Judges 1:19, 21, 27-36). As a result, the Canaanites were a thorn in Israel’s side throughout the period of the Judges. They enticed the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, bringing God’s discipline through foreign oppressors.
The book of Judges depicts cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Seven messengers or judges were raised up to deliver Israel and provide periods of peace, but the sins of the nation always returned. Some judges like Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson delivered Israel through military feats empowered by God’s Spirit. Others like Deborah and Samuel judged Israel’s disputes and urged spiritual revival. But no judge could break the recurring cycle of Israel’s apostasy. This turbulent period showed Israel’s need for a godly king to rule over them.
Some key events during this period include:
– Othniel defeating Cushan-Rishathaim and providing 40 years of peace (Judges 3:7-11)
– Deborah and Barak defeating the Canaanites led by Sisera and Jabin (Judges 4-5)
– Gideon and his 300 men routing the Midianites with trumpets and torches (Judges 6-8)
– Jephthah sacrificing his daughter to fulfill a rash vow (Judges 11)
– Samson killing thousands of Philistines using his supernatural strength (Judges 13-16)
– Ruth the Moabite widow immigrating to Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi (Ruth 1-4)
– The Benjamites being punished for their wickedness at Gibeah (Judges 19-21)
By the end of Judges, Israel was in spiritual shambles. They needed a godly king to lead them, which set the stage for the rise of the monarchy in the books of Samuel. The period of the Judges marked a low point in Israel’s history as they drifted further and further from God. But God continued to patiently work through imperfect leaders to preserve His chosen people.
The book of Joshua ends on a triumphant note with Israel possessing the land God had promised. But Judges shows how quickly Israel’s devotion and obedience unraveled after Joshua’s death. Their failure to fully drive out the Canaanites defiled their worship and led to moral decline. Nevertheless, God remained faithful, raising up judges to deliver His people when they repented. The period of the Judges traced Israel’s failings but also God’s grace in working through flawed individuals. It prepared Israel for the more godly and unified leadership they would find under David’s reign.
The book of 1 Samuel continues the historical narrative, transitioning from the period of the judges to the rise of the monarchy. The story opens with Samuel, the last judge, governing Israel. But the people demand a king to lead them like the other nations (1 Samuel 8).
God directs Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king. Saul looks like an impressive king on the outside, but he eventually disobeys God’s commands and is rejected as king (1 Samuel 15). God leads Samuel to the household of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint the next king. David is chosen and anointed, but must wait years before ascending to the throne.
Meanwhile, David enters Saul’s service as a musician and warrior. He gains fame by killing the Philistine giant Goliath and leadingIsrael’s armies into battle (1 Samuel 16-18). But Saul grows jealous and tries repeatedly to kill David, who has to flee and live as an outlaw (1 Samuel 19-26).
Saul and his sons eventually die in a battle with the Philistines that leaves David’s path to the throne open (1 Samuel 31). But rather than rejoicing, Davidmourns the death of Saul and his friend Jonathan (2 Samuel 1).
Key stories in 1 Samuel include:
– Hannah praying for a son at Shiloh and giving birth to Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2)
– The ark of the covenant being captured by the Philistines then returned amid judgment (1 Samuel 4-7)
– Samuel anointing Saul as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9-10)
– Saul offering an unlawful sacrifice and being rejected as king (1 Samuel 13)
– Saul disobeying God’s command to destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15)
– David killing Goliath and being brought into Saul’s service (1 Samuel 16-18)
– David’s friendship with Jonathan, Saul’s son (1 Samuel 18-20)
– David fleeing from Saul and sparing his life twice (1 Samuel 24, 26)
– David serving as a mercenary for the Philistines (1 Samuel 27-30)
– The death of Saul and his sons at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31)
First Samuel traces a period of transition for Israel as they move from a loose tribal confederacy into a centralized monarchy. The failures of judges and priests (like Eli) show the need for greater leadership. Saul’s reign, while flawed, unites the nation and delivers themfrom foreign oppressors. David’s anointing prepares the way for the godly king and dynasty Israel needs. First Samuel lays the groundwork for David’s glorious reign over a unified kingdom in 2 Samuel.
After years fleeing Saul, David finally ascends to the throne over a divided Israel upon Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1-5). He conquers Jerusalem from the Jebusites and makes it his capital, bringing the ark of the covenant into the city (2 Samuel 6). God makes a covenant with David, promising that his descendant will rule forever—a reference to the coming Messiah (2 Samuel 7).
David continues to expand his kingdom by defeating Israel’s enemies, including the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, and Edomites (2 Samuel 8-10). He shows kindness to Saul’s household, lame grandson Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9). But David also commits grievous sins like adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12).
Although David repents, these sins have long-lasting consequences in his family. Amnon rapes his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13). Absalom murders Amnon and later leads a revolt against David’s rule (2 Samuel 14-18). Absalom is killed against David’s orders, leaving the king heartbroken.
After surviving another rebellion led by Sheba (2 Samuel 20), David sings a praise psalm to God for delivering him from all his enemies (2 Samuel 22). In his final words (2 Samuel 23), David recounts God’s covenant with him and praises God for His just and righteous rule.
Key stories in 2 Samuel include:
– David being anointed king of Judah then later of all Israel (2 Samuel 1-5)
– God’s covenant with David promising an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7)
– David’s conquests and expansion of the kingdom (2 Samuel 8-10)
– David’s sins with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12)
– Amnon assaulting Tamar and being killed by Absalom (2 Samuel 13)
– Absalom’s revolt and death (2 Samuel 14-18)
– David’s praise for God’s deliverance (2 Samuel 22)
– David’s final words about God’s covenant (2 Samuel 23)
Second Samuel details the triumphs and tragedies of David’s reign. Under his rule, Israel grows into a powerful, unified kingdom. God’s covenant promises begin to find fulfillment. But sin still takes its toll through family turmoil. In the end, David’s life stands as a mix of heroic faith and profound moral failure through which God’s grace still works. Second Samuel lays the historical foundation for the kingdom’s golden age under Solomon that will be detailed in 1 Kings.