7 And these are the kings of the land that Joshua and the People of Israel defeated in the country west of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon south to Mount Halak, which towers over Seir. Joshua gave this land to the tribes of Israel as a possession, according to their divisions: 8 lands in the mountains, the western foothills, and the Arabah Valley, on the slopes, and in the wilderness and the Negev desert (lands on which Hittites, Amorites and Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites had lived). The kings were: 9 he king of Jericho one The king of Ai (near Bethel) one 10 he king of Jerusalem one The king of Hebron one 11 he king of Jarmuth one The king of Lachish one 12 he king of Eglon one The king of Gezer one 13 he king of Debir one The king of Geder one 14 he king of Hormah one The king of Arad one 15 he king of Libnah one The king of Adullam one 16 he king of Makkedah one The king of Bethel one 17 he king of Tappuah one The king of Hepher one 18 he king of Aphek one The king of Lasharon one 19 he king of Madon one The king of Hazor one 20 he king of Shimron Meron one The king of Acshaph one 21 he king of Taanach one The king of Megiddo one 22 he king of Kedesh one The king of Jokneam in Carmel one 23 he king of Dor (Naphoth Dor) one The king of Goyim in Gilgal one 24 he king of Tirzah one A total of thirty-one kings.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 12:7-24
Commentary on Joshua 12:7-24
(Read Joshua 12:7-24)
We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies under, since its possessors rejected Christ and his gospel, as was foretold by Moses, Deuteronomy 29:23. The vengeance of a righteous God, inflicted on all these kings and their subjects, for their wickedness, should make us dread and hate sin. The fruitful land bestowed on his chosen people, should fill our hearts with hope and confidence in his mercy, and with humble gratitude.