Why did Adoni-Zedek fear Joshua's victories and seek an alliance? Setting the Scene Joshua 10:3: “So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon…” • Israel had just captured Jericho (Joshua 6), Ai (Joshua 8), and secured peace with Gibeon (Joshua 9). • Gibeon was “a great city, like one of the royal cities” (Joshua 10:2). Its surrender signaled that even powerful Canaanite centers recognized the Lord’s hand on Israel. • Jerusalem lay only a day’s march south of Gibeon—Adoni-Zedek’s backyard. Why Fear Gripped Adoni-Zedek • The LORD’s reputation preceded Israel. God had promised, “I will send My terror ahead of you” (Exodus 23:27), and reports fulfilled that word (Joshua 2:9–11). • Jericho’s impenetrable walls and Ai’s elevated stronghold had collapsed before Israel; Adoni-Zedek realized no fortification could guarantee safety. • Gibeon’s treaty robbed him of a strategic ally and opened an invasion corridor toward Jerusalem. • The king’s own name, “Adoni-Zedek” (“lord of righteousness”), could not disguise the unrighteousness of Canaanite idolatry now facing divine judgment (Genesis 15:16). Strategic Alliance: A Human Response to Divine Victory Instead of surrendering to the God who was clearly acting, Adoni-Zedek relied on human strength: 1. Gather like-minded kings—Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon—forming a southern coalition (Joshua 10:4). 2. Attack Gibeon first, hoping to punish treaty-making and cut off Israel’s advance. 3. Create a united front, believing numbers could counteract Israel’s God-given momentum. Lessons from Parallel Passages • Pharaoh gathered chariots against Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:8–9); Assyria mustered nations against Jerusalem (Isaiah 36–37). In both cases, earthly alliances collapsed before the LORD’s power. • Psalm 2:2–4 echoes the futility: “The kings of the earth take their stand… He who sits in the heavens laughs.” • Deuteronomy 2:25 had foretold, “Today I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples.” Adoni-Zedek’s terror fulfilled prophecy, underscoring Scripture’s precision. Takeaways for Today • God’s victories always stir either repentance or resistance; fear alone cannot produce faith. • Trusting alliances, resources, or numbers against God’s revealed purposes leads to ruin (Proverbs 21:30). • The LORD keeps every promise—whether granting Israel’s success or exposing Canaanite fear—demonstrating His sovereignty and the literal reliability of His Word. |
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