Joshua 10

“Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed…” Naming Adoni and Gibeon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Wherefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of…” Naming Come and Gibeon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to…” Naming Amorites and Gibeon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.” Naming Gilgal and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the…” Naming Azekah and Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he…” Naming Israel and Ajalon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.” Naming Gilgal and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:” Naming Joshua and Roll keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the…” Naming Israel and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed…” Naming Makkedah and Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:” Naming Libnah and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the…” Naming Israel and Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:” Naming Israel and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of…” Naming Israel and Lachish keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none…” Naming Gezer and Horam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against…” Naming Eglon and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly…” Naming Lachish keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:” Naming Eglon and Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all…” Naming Eglon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:” Naming Debir and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and…” Naming Debir and Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.” Naming Gaza and Gibeon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.” Naming Gilgal and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.