31 kings

Joshua 12:9-24 (JDV)

Joshua 12:9 the king of Jericho one the king of Ai, which is next to Bethel one
Joshua 12:10 the king of Jerusalem one the king of Hebron one
Joshua 12:11 the king of Jarmuth one the king of Lachish one
Joshua 12:12 the king of Eglon one the king of Gezer one
Joshua 12:13 the king of Debir one the king of Geder one
Joshua 12:14 the king of Hormah one the king of Arad one
Joshua 12:15 the king of Libnah one the king of Adullam one
Joshua 12:16 the king of Makkedah one the king of Bethel one
Joshua 12:17 the king of Tappuah one the king of Hepher one
Joshua 12:18 the king of Aphek one the king of Lasharon one
Joshua 12:19 the king of Madon one the king of Hazor one
Joshua 12:20 the king of Shimron-meron one the king of Achshaph one
Joshua 12:21 the king of Taanach one the king of Megiddo one
Joshua 12:22 the king of Kedesh one the king of Jokneam in Carmel one
Joshua 12:23 the king of Dor in Naphath-dor one the king of Goiim in Gilgal one
Joshua 12:24 the king of Tirzah one. The total number of all kings: thirty-one.

31 kings

Joshua summarizes the long war for conquest by listing all the pagan kings eliminated. Each of these names represented a formidable opposition to God’s plan for his people. Each of them were defeated so that God’s will could be accomplished.

Coffman comments on this text: “These great victories under Joshua are a pledge that God will always fight upon the side of, and in the interests of those who truly love him. “And we know that to them that love God, all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)” (James Burton Coffman Commentaries).

The end of our age will also be a time of warfare, not peace. Such should lead us to think soberly about what kind of world we are living in. We should certainly seek victory over God’s enemies now. But the number of kings fighting against him indicated that the battle will probably be a long one. Although we are assured final victory, it might not come in our lifetime.

Lord, give us the confidence in you to keep fighting the good fight.