Near Lake Merom he fell upon the camp of the allies and utterly routed their forces. "The Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them . . . until they left them none remaining." The chariots and horses that had been the pride and boast of the Canaanites were not to be appropriated by Israel. At the command of God the chariots were burned, and the horses lamed, and thus rendered unfit for use in battle. The Israelites were not to put their trust in chariots or horses, but "in the name of the Lord their God."

Josua angreb de forenede hæres lejr ved Meroms vand og slog dem fuldstændig. "Herren gav dem i Israels hånd, så de slog dem og forfulgte dem og huggede dem ned, så ikke en eneste af dem blev tilbage." Israelitterne måtte ikke beholde vognene og hestene, som havde været kanaanæernes stolthed. På Guds befaling blev vognene brændt og hestene lammet, så de ikke kunne bruges til krig mere. Israelitterne skulle ikke sætte deres lid til vogne og heste, men til "Herren deres Guds navn".