Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/234

 were before  the  Ark  sound  the  trumpets,  were  to  shout  together with a great  shout. So it  was  done. When the  seventh  day came, they  marched  silently  six  times  around  the  city;  but at the  seventh  turn, when  the  priests  sounded  the  trumpets, all the  people  shouted,  and  instantly  the  walls  fell down. Every man went  up  by  the  place  that  was  against  him;  and  they  took the city.

After many  hard-fought  battles,  Josue  at  length  made  himself master  of  all  the  land  of  Chanaan. During this  period  he several  times  experienced  the  especial  assistance  of  God. On one occasion he  waged  war  against  the  five  kings  of  the  Amorrhites. The Israelites  conquered  and  pursued  their  enemies. But night coming on  would  soon  have  put  an  end  to  the  victory. Then Josue spoke  to  the  Lord,  in  the  sight  of  all  the  people:  “Move not, O sun,  toward  Gabaon; nor  thou,  O moon,  toward  the valley of  Ajalon.”  So  the  sun  stood  still  in  the  midst  of  heaven. There was  not,  before  nor  after,  so  long  a day.

Chanaan was  divided  among  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel. The tribe  of  Levi  alone  received  no  portion,  as  they  lived  on the  tithes  and  sacrifices;  but  they  received  forty-eight  cities  in different  parts  of  the  country. The descendants  of  the  two  sons of Joseph,  Ephraim  and  Manasses,  received  each  a portion  of  the land. Thus the  country  was  divided  among  the  twelve  tribes :