Topical Bible: Israel: Defeat the Five Amoritish Kings

◄ Israel: Defeat the Five Amoritish Kings ►

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The defeat of the five Amorite kings is a significant event in the history of Israel, illustrating God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises to the Israelites. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 10:1-27, and it marks a pivotal moment in the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership.

Context and Background

Following the miraculous fall of Jericho and the subsequent victory at Ai, the fame of Israel's God and His mighty acts spread throughout the land of Canaan. The Gibeonites, fearing for their lives, resorted to deception to make a peace treaty with Israel (Joshua 9). This alliance with Gibeon, a significant city, alarmed the surrounding Amorite kings, who saw it as a threat to their own security and power.

The Coalition of the Amorite Kings

In response, five Amorite kings formed a coalition to attack Gibeon. These kings were Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. Their goal was to punish Gibeon for allying with Israel and to halt the advancing Israelite forces.

The Battle and Divine Intervention

Upon hearing of the Amorite coalition's attack on Gibeon, the Gibeonites sent an urgent plea for help to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal. Joshua responded swiftly, leading his army on an all-night march to surprise the Amorite forces. The Lord assured Joshua of victory, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you" (Joshua 10:8).

As the battle commenced, the Lord intervened in a miraculous manner. He threw the Amorite armies into confusion before Israel, and as they fled, God sent a hailstorm that killed more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword (Joshua 10:10-11). This divine intervention underscored the power and sovereignty of God in the battles of Israel.

The Sun Stands Still

One of the most extraordinary aspects of this battle was Joshua's prayer for the sun to stand still. Joshua prayed, "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon" (Joshua 10:12). In response, the sun halted, and the moon stopped until the nation avenged itself on its enemies. This event is described as unprecedented, with the text noting, "There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel" (Joshua 10:14).

The Defeat and Execution of the Kings

After the miraculous victory, the five kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave to be sealed with large stones and guarded. Later, the kings were brought out, humiliated by having the Israelite commanders place their feet on the kings' necks, and then executed. Their bodies were hung on trees until evening, after which they were thrown back into the cave, which was sealed again (Joshua 10:16-27).

Significance

The defeat of the five Amorite kings demonstrated God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel and His power over the nations of Canaan. It served as a testament to the divine support that Israel enjoyed in their conquest of the Promised Land. This victory also reinforced Joshua's leadership and the unity of the Israelite tribes under God's command. The event is a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God and reliance on His strength in the face of overwhelming odds.

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Joshua 10:1
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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