Joshua

Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible and the first of the historical books. It picks up right where Deuteronomy ends, with Moses dead and Joshua taking command of the Israelites. The book covers the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land among the twelve tribes.

The first twelve chapters describe the military campaign. The Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground, just as their parents had crossed the Red Sea. They capture Jericho when its walls fall after seven days of marching around it. They suffer one defeat at Ai after a soldier named Achan steals forbidden goods, but resume the campaign once the issue is resolved. They defeat coalitions of southern and northern kings in turn. The famous moment when the sun stands still in the sky comes during this section, during a battle near Gibeon.

The second half of the book describes the division of the conquered land. Each tribe receives its territory; the Levites receive cities scattered throughout the land rather than a single region; cities of refuge are designated for those who kill someone accidentally. The eastern tribes return to their land across the Jordan.

The book ends with two of Joshua's farewell speeches, in which he reminds the Israelites to remain faithful, and with Joshua's death and burial in the land he helped them conquer.