Verses 1-6

The slaughter of the eastern kings12:1-6

Sihon and Og were the first Canaanite kings the Israelites defeated.

Verses 7-24

The slaughter of the western kings12:7-24

The writer identified31kings in the essential order in which Joshua defeated them.

"Many of the same names appear in the Amarna letters, thus confirming the historicity of our text." [Note: Davis and Whitcomb, p75.]

"The description was not complete. Shechem is not mentioned, and the hills of Ephraim are sparsely represented, as is the territory north of Hazor. Completeness is not the object. The writer seeks to compile a list that will impress the readers with the greatness of the feat of God in working for Israel and of the greatness of the leadership of Joshua in following the example of Moses and completing the task first given to Moses. Still, the writer is aware that much remains to be done." [Note: Butler, p139.]

This summary concludes the record of the conquest of the land (chs1-12), Joshua"s first major responsibility. He was now able to divide the land among the Israelites (chs13-21), his second great work ( Joshua 1:6).