Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, Joshua, the successor of Moses, is depicted as a formidable leader chosen by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. One of the significant events during his leadership is the coalition of the Canaanite kings against him, as recorded in the Book of Joshua, chapters 9 and 10.Context and Background After the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho, Joshua and the Israelites continued their conquest of Canaan. The fame of Israel's victories spread quickly throughout the land, causing fear among the Canaanite inhabitants. The Gibeonites, recognizing the power of Israel's God, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty with Joshua (Joshua 9:3-15). This treaty, once discovered, was honored by Joshua, demonstrating his commitment to his word and the covenant made before God. The Coalition of Kings The news of the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel alarmed the surrounding Canaanite kings. In response, Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, formed a coalition with four other Amorite kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. These kings banded together to attack Gibeon, a significant city that had aligned itself with Israel (Joshua 10:1-5). Divine Intervention and Victory Upon hearing of the attack on Gibeon, Joshua and the Israelite army marched overnight from Gilgal to aid their new allies. 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). The battle that ensued was marked by divine intervention. As the Israelites fought, the Lord threw the Amorite armies into confusion, and large hailstones fell from the sky, killing more of the enemy than the swords of the Israelites (Joshua 10:10-11). In a remarkable display of faith and divine power, Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the Valley of Aijalon. The Lord granted this request, and the celestial bodies paused, allowing Israel to achieve a complete victory (Joshua 10:12-14). This event is noted as one of the most extraordinary miracles recorded in the Old Testament, emphasizing God's direct involvement in the battles of Israel. Aftermath and Significance The defeat of the Amorite coalition was a pivotal moment in the conquest of Canaan. It demonstrated the futility of opposing God's chosen people and solidified Joshua's reputation as a leader under divine guidance. The victory also served as a testament to the power of faith and obedience to God's commands. Following this triumph, Joshua continued his campaign, capturing and destroying the cities of the defeated kings, thereby securing a significant portion of southern Canaan for the Israelites (Joshua 10:28-39). The coalition of the Canaanite kings, intended to halt Israel's advance, ultimately contributed to the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 9:1,2And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; Nave's Topical Index Library The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Memoir of John Bunyan Resources Who was the commander of the army of the LORD in Joshua 5:14? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Joshua and Caleb in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Joshua | GotQuestions.org Joshua: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Joshua: A Governor of Jerusalem Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: 48 Cities for the Levites Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: A Religious Zealot Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Age of, at Death Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Allots the Land Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: At Ai Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: At Gibeon Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: At Hazor Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: At the Defeat of the Amalekites Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Besieges and Captures Jericho Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Captures Ai Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Completes the Conquest of the Whole Land Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Conquers Hazor Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Death and Burial of Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Defeats Seven Other Kings Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Divinely Inspired Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Esteem With Which he Was Held Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Exhortation of, Before his Death Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Faith of Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: His Portion of the Land Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Intimately Associated With Moses Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Leads the People Into the Land of Canaan Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: List of the Kings Whom Joshua Struck Down Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Makes a Favorable Report Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Makes a Treaty With the Gibeonites Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Promises To Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Rewarded for his Courage and Fidelity Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Sent With Others to View the Promised Land Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Sets Apart Several Cities of Refuge Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Sets the Tabernacle up at Shiloh Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Son of Nun Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: The Six Kings Make War Upon the Gibeonites Joshua: Also Called Jeshua: Assists Zerubbabel in Restoring the Temple Joshua: Also Called Jeshua: The High Priest of the Captivity Joshua: Commissioned, Ordained, and Charged With the Responsibilites of Moses' office Joshua: His Life Miraculously Preserved when he Made a Favorable Report About the Land Joshua: Survives the Israelites Who Refused to Enter the Promised Land Joshua: Symbolical of the Restoration of God's People Joshua: The Kings of the Six Nations of the Canaanites Band Together Against Him Magnanimity: Joshua and the Elders of Israel to the Gibeonites Who had Deceived the Israelites Sarcasm: Joshua to the Descendants of Joseph Related Terms Cushan-rishathaim (2 Occurrences) |
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