יהושע, פרק י׳, פסוק ל״ח

The conquest of the Canaanite cities was a calculated military campaign that required careful planning and the prioritization of targets. In this stage of the operation, Joshua and his army directed their forces toward the city of Debir [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The sequence of the military maneuvers in this region reveals a specific strategic choice. As the army advanced from the city of Eglon up to Hebron, they passed directly by Debir. However, Joshua decided not to attack it at that moment. He preferred to concentrate his forces and focus his initial efforts entirely on capturing Hebron. Only after Hebron was successfully secured did the army double back, returning to Debir to wage war against it [רד״ק].