That day they captured Eglon and put it to the sword, and Joshua devoted to destruction everyone in the city, just as he had done to Lachish.
A good general knows how to follow up a victory, and Joshua seized his moment: he took six cities in swift succession, destroyed the armies sent to relieve them, and brought the whole southern country under Israel's hand. His failure to take Jerusalem and Jarmuth at once was a missed opportunity they would pay dearly to recover later.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 10:28-43
Hebron lay in the hills, sixteen miles north of Eglon, so the army's ascent was literal as well as geographical. The city resisted rather than surrender, forcing Joshua to take it by siege and sword as he had done to Lachish.
AI summary
The Lord God of Israel fought for Israel, and the victories came in rapid succession: Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, and the army of Gezer all fell in a single sweep. The whole southern country passed into Joshua's hands because the Lord Himself was the true conqueror.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 10:28-42