The Amalekites attack Israel at Rephidim.

Moses tells Joshua to choose men and go out to fight. Moses will stand on the hill with the staff of God in his hand.

Joshua does as Moses commands while Moses, Aaron, and Hur climb the hill.

As long as Moses holds up his hands, Israel gains the advantage. When his hands lower from exhaustion, Amalek begins to prevail.

Moses eventually becomes too tired to continue standing with his hands raised.

Aaron and Hur place a stone beneath him so he can sit. Then they stand on either side and hold up his hands.

His hands remain steady until sunset.

Joshua and the Israelite fighters overcome the Amalekite army.

Moses builds an altar and names it in a way that identifies the LORD as his banner.

The brief story gives Joshua his first major leadership role while refusing to portray the battle as the accomplishment of a single heroic figure. Joshua fights, Moses intercedes, and Aaron and Hur sustain the leader who can no longer hold up his own arms.