The Bible Says Commentary on Joshua 11

Joshua 11 records the Israelite campaign in the northern part of the land of Canaan. The people first confront a massive coalition of armies led by King Jabin of Hazor, a large fortified town in north Galilee. The LORD urges His covenant people to be resolute as He will give them victory over their foes. Thus, by faith, Joshua and his army boldly attack the northern troops and overcome them. Then, they capture Hazor, burn it, and slaughter its king. They also capture the other cities and take their wealth as plunder, per God's command. Finally, the Israelite soldiers wipe out the Anakim from the land, the giant race that frightened them some 45 years earlier when Moses commissioned 12 men to scout the Promised Land. With God's help, Israel conquers the prominent centers in all of Canaan, from south to north. The chapter's outline is as follows:

1. The king of Hazor heard about Israel's victory in the south. He builds a massive coalition with the northern Canaanite armies to fight against her (vv 1-5).
   
   
2. The LORD encourages Joshua not to fear the enemy because He will defeat them by the next day. He instructs the Israelite leader to hamstring the enemy horses and burn their chariots. Joshua follows the divine instruction and wins the battle (vv 6-9).
   
   
3. The Israelites capture the city of Hazor and burn it. They also capture the other northern Canaanite towns and take their valuables as plunder, per the LORD’s command. They are victorious because they trust God and obey Him fully (vv 10-15).
   
   
4. The Israelites conquered all the southern and northern Canaanite towns. The people of the land did not repent because the LORD hardened their hearts to destroy them for their wickedness. Thus, Israel only spared the Hivites in Gibeon (vv 16-20).
   
   
5. The Israelite soldiers wipe out the Anakim from the land of Canaan. Only a few Anakim remain in three Philistine towns: Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. Joshua takes control of the land and divides it among the tribes (vv 21-23).

Joshua 11 completes the military portion of the book. Israel entered the land at its center and took Jericho and Ai (Joshua 6-8). Then the Israelites swept the south (Joshua 10). Now they finish in the north.