The Southern and Northern Campaigns

After the initial victories at Jericho and Ai, Joshua led Israel in southern and northern campaigns, defeating both individual kings as well as coalitions of kings that had banded together to repel the invasion. The Israelite encampment and base of operations was at Gilgal, where they had initially crossed the Jordan River. God was giving Israel the Promised Land (Genesis 12:1-3); but He was simultaneously judging the Canaanites for their sin, having given them more than 400 years to repent of their evil ways (see Genesis 15:16).