A Summary of the Book of Joshua by Chapter
Learn about the conquest of Canaan in this chapter summary of the book of Joshua and enter the promised land with the Israelites!
The Story of Joshua
Moses died along with all of the original Israelites who left Egypt. The next generation has risen with Joshua as their leader, and then God delivers them to Canaan, aka, The Promised Land!
But there’s a catch…the land is inhabited by other kingdoms, which they will have to take over in order to claim their land. Will they trust God this time around?
A prostitute named Rahab hides and protects the Israelite spies sent into Jericho. She tells them that the people of Jericho have heard about the power of the Israelite God so they are fearful. The spies promise to spare Rahab and her family when they overtake the city in return for her kindness.
But Jericho isn’t the only city they must defeat; it’s only the beginning of 31 battles the Israelites have to fight to conquer Canaan. A few mishaps along the way give them some setbacks, but eventually, God gives them victory, and the 12 tribes of Israel receive their land assignments.
The Book of Joshua Broken Down By Chapter
Entering the Promised Land (Chapters 1-5)
- 1 – Joshua becomes leader after Moses’ death
- 2 – Spies are sent into Canaan and protected by Rahab
- 3 – God parts the Jordan River just like the Red Sea
- 4 – They set up 12 stones as a memorial of what God has done for the tribes
- 5 – Israelites celebrate Passover and then prepare for war
Conquering Canaan (Chapters 6-12)
- 6 – Jericho falls after marching around the city (Rahab and family spared)
- 7 – A hidden sin is punished by losing the battle in Ai
- 8 – They repent and win the battle of Ai
- 9 – Israelites make a covenant with Gibeonites
- 10 – God makes the sun stand still so the Israelites can defeat Amorites
- 11-12 – Northern kings are defeated
Dividing the Land and Covenant (Chapters 13-24)
- 13-19 – Land divisions for all 12 tribes
- 20 – Cities of refuge established
- 21 – Levite cities established among the tribes
- 22 – Altar misunderstanding resolved
- 23 – Joshua’s farewell speech as an old man
- 24 – Covenant renewal and then Joshua’s death
If you need help understanding the story details and historical timeline, use this Joshua printable to help you organize your thoughts as you go:
While the digital pages are perfect for group study, you may prefer a physical book, covering all 39 books in the Old Testament. Grab your copy here:
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- Take the Challenge with These Bible Questions for Adults
- Discover Biblical Fasting in a Scripture Writing Practice
You’ve got this!
