The Book of Joshua – KJV Summary, Key Stories & Book Facts

Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible, the sixth book of the Old Testament, and the first of the Historical Books. In the King James Version (KJV), Joshua contains 24 chapters and 658 verses. The book records Israel's entrance into the promised land under Joshua, the crossing of the Jordan River, the fall of Jericho, the conquest of Canaan, the division of the land among the tribes, and Joshua's final call for Israel to faithfully serve the LORD.

Summary of Joshua

Joshua begins after the death of Moses, when the LORD appoints Joshua to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River and into the land promised to their fathers. God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, to obey the Law given through Moses, and to trust that the LORD will be with him. Joshua sends two spies into Jericho, where Rahab hides them from the king's men and confesses her faith in the God of Israel. The spies promise that Rahab and her household will be spared when Israel takes the city.

Israel then crosses the Jordan River on dry ground as the priests bearing the ark of the covenant stand in the river. Twelve stones are taken from the Jordan as a memorial of what God has done. After Israel renews the covenant and observes the Passover at Gilgal, Joshua encounters the captain of the host of the LORD near Jericho. Israel marches around Jericho according to God's command, and on the seventh day the walls fall down. Rahab and her family are preserved, but soon afterward Israel suffers defeat at Ai because Achan has secretly taken from the accursed things. After Achan's sin is discovered and judged, Israel returns to Ai and wins the victory.

Joshua continues leading Israel in the conquest of Canaan. At Mount Ebal he builds an altar and reads the Law before the people. The Gibeonites deceive Israel into making a covenant with them, and when surrounding kings attack Gibeon, Joshua comes to its defense. During the battle, the LORD casts great hailstones upon Israel's enemies, and Joshua commands the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Ajalon until Israel has prevailed. Further victories follow throughout southern and northern Canaan as the LORD gives Israel success over the kings of the land.

The second half of Joshua records the division of the conquered land among the tribes of Israel. Caleb receives Hebron as his inheritance, cities of refuge are appointed, and cities are assigned to the Levites. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh return east of Jordan after fulfilling their obligation to fight alongside their brethren. Near the end of his life, Joshua gathers Israel's leaders and warns them to remain faithful to the LORD and separate themselves from the gods of the surrounding nations. At Shechem, Joshua renews the covenant and challenges the people to choose whom they will serve. The book closes with Joshua's death, the burial of Joseph's bones, and the death of Eleazar the high priest.