storm arose, and hail-stones were cast from heaven upon the Canaanites in such huge masses that those who escaped the sword perished amid the tempest. The number slain by the hail was greater than that of those who fell in the battle and pursuit. The flower and pride of five nations thus disappeared from the face of the earth, because by their crimes and idolatry they had offended God. The day was prolonged to afford light for their destruction. At the entreaty of Joshua the sun stood still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, while the Israelites avenged themselves upon their enemies. Darkness hovered on the verge of the horizon, but had no power to ascend from the abyss. For thirty-six hours the mountains and vales of Judea had continual sunshine, and the system of the universe paused in mid-career, There was no day like that before or after it, when the Lord hearkened to the voice of a man. Thus was it known over the whole East, and eventually spread abroad throughout the world, that the Lord fought for his chosen people Israel. The conquest of Palestine progressed rapidly after these events. Thirty-one kings did Joshua the sun of Nun subdue in the land of Canaan, and their territories he divided among the children of Israel, according to their tribes and families,— the Levites only being excluded from any division, because to them appertained the tenths of the increase of the whole congregation. But though Canaan might thus be considered conquered, its inhabitants were not, as God had commanded, wholly expelled nor extirpated by the victors. Some entire tribes of Philistines and others continued to exist in the land; and these for several ages not only harassed the Israelites with hostilities, but from time to time seduced them into the commission of idolatry, by which they incurred the anger of the Lord. During the life-time of Joshua, however, and of the elders who, having seen the mighty works of the Creator, overlived Joshua, the Hebrews served God with fidelity, and were successful in all their undertakings. THE END. Palmer & Clayton, Printers, 9, Crane Court. |