It seems as if a long time had passed since the events of Joshua 22:1–34 and the people summoned together. If Joshua was of a similar age to Caleb when the land was distributed (85 years old, cf Joshua 14:10) and near his death when giving these final speeches (Joshua 24:29), then the events of Joshua 23:1–16 and Joshua 24:1–33 take place close to twenty-five years after Joshua 22:1–34.1 During this time the people of Israel had enjoyed some rest—the peace and security that comes after years of battle (Joshua 1:13, Joshua 1:15; Joshua 21:44; Joshua 22:4).
1 A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years,