Topical Bible: Cowardice: Amoritish Kings

◄ Cowardice: Amoritish Kings ►

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, cowardice is often depicted as a lack of faith and trust in God's power and promises. The Amoritish kings, particularly during the time of Joshua, serve as a poignant example of this trait. The Amorites were one of the Canaanite tribes inhabiting the Promised Land, and their kings are notably mentioned in the context of Israel's conquest under Joshua's leadership.

The most illustrative account of cowardice among the Amoritish kings is found in the book of Joshua. When the Israelites, under divine command, began their conquest of Canaan, the kings of the Amorites were filled with fear. Joshua 10:1-5 describes how Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard of Joshua's victories and the treaty with Gibeon, a significant city. In response, he formed an alliance with four other Amorite kings—Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon—to attack Gibeon for aligning with Israel.

This coalition of kings, rather than confronting Israel directly, chose to attack Gibeon, demonstrating their fear and reluctance to face the Israelites head-on. Their actions reveal a lack of courage and a failure to trust in their own gods or military might against the God of Israel. The narrative continues in Joshua 10:6-11 , where the Lord intervenes on behalf of Israel, causing panic among the Amorite forces and leading to their defeat. The text states, "The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah."

The cowardice of the Amoritish kings is further highlighted in their attempt to flee and hide. Joshua 10:16-18 recounts how these kings sought refuge in a cave at Makkedah. Their decision to hide rather than fight underscores their fear and lack of resolve. Joshua, upon discovering their hiding place, commanded that the cave be sealed with large stones, effectively trapping the kings inside until they could be dealt with later.

This episode serves as a stark contrast to the faith and courage exhibited by Joshua and the Israelites, who relied on God's promises and power. The Amoritish kings' cowardice ultimately led to their downfall, as they were captured, humiliated, and executed by Joshua, as recorded in Joshua 10:22-26 .

The account of the Amoritish kings serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of cowardice and the importance of faith and courage in the face of adversity. Their account is a reminder of the biblical principle that true strength and victory come from reliance on God rather than human alliances or strategies.