Joshua

The book of Joshua begins with God instructing Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River into the land that would be given to them. Joshua is instructed to be strong and steadfast, to observe and accomplish the entire law given by Moses, and to meditate on the book of the law day and night. The Israelites then cross the Jordan River, and the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stand in the river, causing the waters to stop flowing and allowing the people to cross on dry ground. The Israelites then conquer the city of Jericho, and Joshua makes a pact with the Gibeonites, who pretend to be from a faraway land. The Israelites go on to conquer several other cities, including Ai, Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. The book then describes the division of the land among the nine and a half tribes, with the Levites receiving cities but no land. The Israelites also designate cities of refuge where those who had unintentionally killed someone could flee to escape the wrath of the victim's relatives. The book concludes with Joshua dismissing the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh, and gathering the leaders of Israel to remind them of the Lord's victories and to encourage them to be strengthened and careful to observe the law of Moses.