In the biblical narrative, confederacies of kings often appear as alliances formed for mutual defense, conquest, or political strategy. These coalitions are significant in understanding the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East and the unfolding of God's plan as revealed in Scripture.

1. The Coalition Against Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14):
One of the earliest recorded confederacies is found in Genesis 14, where a coalition of four kings led by Chedorlaomer of Elam waged war against five kings in the Valley of Siddim, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. This alliance was formed to suppress a rebellion by the latter group, who had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years. The conflict resulted in the capture of Lot, Abram's nephew, prompting Abram to intervene. With 318 trained men, Abram defeated the coalition, demonstrating God's providence and blessing upon him. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "And he divided his forces against them by night—he and his servants—and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus" (Genesis 14:15).

2. The Northern Coalition Against Israel (Joshua 11):
During the conquest of Canaan, Joshua faced a formidable confederacy of northern kings led by Jabin, king of Hazor. This alliance included numerous kings from the northern hill country, the Arabah south of Kinnereth, the western foothills, and Naphoth Dor on the west. The coalition amassed a vast army "as numerous as the sand on the seashore" (Joshua 11:4). Despite the overwhelming odds, Joshua, under divine instruction, launched a surprise attack at the waters of Merom, leading to a decisive victory. This event underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness in delivering the land to Israel as promised.

3. The Southern Coalition Against Gibeon (Joshua 10):
In response to the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel, five Amorite kings formed a confederacy to attack Gibeon. The kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon united their forces against the city. The Gibeonites appealed to Joshua for help, and he led a night march from Gilgal to Gibeon. The Lord intervened by hurling large hailstones from the sky, and Joshua famously commanded the sun to stand still, prolonging the day until Israel achieved victory. The Berean Standard Bible records, "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies" (Joshua 10:13).

4. The Coalition Against Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20):
King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced a confederacy of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites who came to wage war against him. In response, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord through prayer and fasting, leading the people of Judah in a remarkable act of faith. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, who assured them of God's deliverance. As they went out to battle, singing praises to the Lord, God set ambushes against the enemy, resulting in their defeat. This account highlights the power of faith and worship in overcoming formidable adversaries.

5. The Coalition Against Israel and Judah (2 Kings 16; Isaiah 7):
During the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, a confederacy was formed between Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel. This alliance sought to overthrow Ahaz and install a puppet king in Judah. In fear, Ahaz sought assistance from Assyria, leading to further complications. The prophet Isaiah was sent to reassure Ahaz, delivering the prophecy of Immanuel as a sign of God's presence and protection. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

These confederacies of kings illustrate the complex interplay of human ambition and divine intervention. Throughout these accounts, God's sovereignty is evident, as He uses these alliances to fulfill His purposes and demonstrate His power and faithfulness to His people.Genesis 14:1,2
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
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Joshua 10:1-5
Now it came to pass, when Adonizedec king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
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Joshua 11:1-5
And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
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1 Kings 20:1
And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.
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That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... God forbade conjunctions and confederacies with the enemies of his cause and people,
not ... ver.10,) Ahaz his confederacy with the king of Assyria, (2 Kings 16:7 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Learnedly And Accurately Discussed And Resolved, Concerning AssociationsAnd
Confederacies With Idolaters ... 50:8. and li.6. Remember that passage, 2 Kings 1:9, ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... heathen may "rage" and the people imagine a "vain thing"; the kings of earth ... 4).
He is infinitely exalted above all, and the greatest confederacies or earth's ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

That There is a Malignant Party Still in the Kingdom.
... And Accurately Discussed And Resolved, Concerning AssociationsAnd Confederacies
With Idolaters ... of unlimited and absolute power in kings; the unlawfulness of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section i that there is.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... These Confederacies are distinct from each other. ... 4. And that great city which reigneth
over the kings of the earth (verse 18) was beautified with purple and ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Footnotes
... said that Dr. Thomas Rand, the celebrated philosopher, was an advocate of the system
of ambulatory professors, which was adhered to in Kings College, Aberdeen ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

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