Flushed with their success in capturing Jericho under Joshua's leadership, the Hebrews were convinced that a smaller force would be ample to overcome the city of Ai (see Josh. 7:3), but to their dismay they suffered a crushing defeat. Turning to God for an explanation of this reversal, Joshua learned that it stemmed from the disobedience of Achan, who had stolen for his own use from the rich spoils of Jericho, spoils either consigned to destruction or dedicated to God's service (see Josh. 6:24; 7:11-13, 19-21). After the punishment of Achan, and the renewed dedication of Israel to obedience, Ai was overcome by means of a stratagem (see Josh. 8: 1-28) .
Typical of Israel's successes in southern Canaan was their effective defense of their allies, the Gibeonites, from the concerted attack of the armies of five Amorite kings. Even the forces of nature appeared to assist the Israelites (see Josh. 10:11-14), while city after city fell before them.
For a time the northern provinces remained unconquered, but the backbone of their opposition was broken when Israel decisively defeated another confederacy led by the king of Hazor, in spite of the reputed invincibility of his armies (see Josh. 11:4).
Now that the greater part of Palestine was under his control, Joshua proceeded to its apportionment among the Hebrew tribes. Naturally, he acceded readily to the request of Caleb, one of the stanch leaders of the tribe of Judah (see Num. 13:6), that he might have the territory surrounding Hebron. Joshua doubtless recalled Caleb's strong support of him when the two men had urged the advance into Canaan almost half a century earlier (see Num. 14:6 — 9). At that time Caleb had shown no trace of fear at encountering the giant "children of Anak" (Num. 13:28), who lived near Hebron. Now, although he was "fourscore and five years old" (Josh. 14:10), Caleb was ready and eager with God's help to overcome his enemies.
At this point Joshua gladly confirmed the allotment which Moses himself had given to Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh so that they might have the territory to the east of the river Jordan. In spite of the inheritance assured to them in this area, these tribes had agreed to support their brother Israelites in conquering the land to the west of the river, meanwhile leaving their families and their stock in the eastern province of Gilead (see Num. 32:25-33).
The territory to be assigned in western Palestine to the remaining nine and one half tribes was granted by casting lots under the supervision of Joshua, as Moses had planned (see Josh. 14:2). In the southern section, Judah received the extensive territory bordering the shore of the Dead Sea and close to the land surrounding Hebron, already ceded specifically to Caleb. Simeon received ground south of Judah, which was soon merged into Judah's territory (see Josh. 19:1,9). Benjamin was located north of Jerusalem, and between it and the Mediterranean lay the acreage assigned to Dan.
Ephraim held a central position south of the ground allotted to the western half of Manasseh's tribe, which stretched between the Mediterranean and the Jordan. Issachar was bounded by Manasseh on the south and the river on the east. What was later called Galilee contained Zebulun in the south, Asher in the northwest, and Naphtali in the northeast. Joshua himself received "the city which he asked, . . . Timnath-serah, in mount Ephraim" (Josh. 19:50).
