Topical Bible: Gibeon: A City of the Hivites: Has the Dream Concerning Righteousness

◄ Gibeon: A City of the Hivites: Has the Dream Concerning Righteousness ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Gibeon, an ancient city located in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, holds a significant place in biblical history. It was one of the principal cities of the Hivites, a Canaanite people who inhabited the land before the arrival of the Israelites. The city is notably mentioned in the context of its inhabitants' cunning treaty with Joshua and the Israelites, as well as its association with divine encounters and significant events in Israel's history.

Historical and Biblical Context

Gibeon is first introduced in the Bible in the Book of Joshua. The Gibeonites, aware of the Israelites' conquests and the fate of Jericho and Ai, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty with Israel. Disguising themselves as ambassadors from a distant land, they sought a covenant with Joshua. Despite the Israelites' failure to consult the LORD, they made a treaty with the Gibeonites, sparing them from destruction (Joshua 9:3-15).

The city later became a focal point during the southern campaign of Joshua. When the Amorite kings formed a coalition to attack Gibeon for allying with Israel, Joshua came to their aid. It was during this battle that the famous miracle of the sun standing still occurred, as recorded in Joshua 10:12-14 : "On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: 'O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.' So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies."

Religious Significance

Gibeon also holds religious significance as a place where God communicated with His people. It was at Gibeon that the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, granting him wisdom. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 3:5 : "At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, 'Ask, and I will give it to you.'" Solomon's request for wisdom to govern the people righteously pleased God, who granted him unparalleled wisdom and understanding.

Furthermore, Gibeon was a site of worship and sacrifice. The tabernacle of the LORD was located there during the early reign of Solomon, and it was a central place for offering sacrifices before the construction of the temple in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:39, 21:29).

Gibeon in Later History

In the post-exilic period, Gibeon continued to be inhabited by Israelites. The city is mentioned in the context of the return from Babylonian exile, with some of its inhabitants participating in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership (Nehemiah 3:7).

Conclusion

Gibeon's legacy in biblical history is multifaceted, encompassing themes of covenant, divine intervention, and the pursuit of righteousness. Its account serves as a testament to the complexities of human interaction with the divine and the unfolding of God's purposes through history.