Piram was the Amorite king of Jarmuth, a city located in the southern region of Canaan. He is most notably recognized for his role in the coalition of five Amorite kings who waged war against Gibeon after the Gibeonites made a peace treaty with Israel. This coalition is detailed in the Book of Joshua, where Piram's actions and subsequent defeat are recorded.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Piram is found in Joshua 10. After the Gibeonites sought peace with Israel, the surrounding Amorite kings, including Piram, perceived this as a threat to their own security and influence. In response, they formed an alliance to attack Gibeon. The coalition consisted of the following kings: Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon.

Joshua 10:3-5 states: "So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem appealed to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, 'Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.' So the five Amorite kings—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces, advanced with all their armies, besieged Gibeon, and fought against it."

Defeat and Death

In response to the Gibeonites' plea for help, Joshua led the Israelite army on an all-night march from Gilgal to Gibeon. The Lord assured Joshua of victory, and the Israelites launched a surprise attack on the Amorite coalition. The Lord intervened by throwing the Amorite armies into confusion and sending hailstones from the sky, which killed more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword.

Joshua 10:10-11 recounts: "And 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. As they fled before Israel on the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down large hailstones on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites."

The five kings, including Piram, fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave to be sealed with large stones and guarded. After the battle, Joshua commanded that the kings be brought out. They were executed and their bodies were hung on trees until evening, as a sign of their defeat and the Lord's judgment.

Joshua 10:26-27 describes their fate: "After this, Joshua struck them down and killed them, and he hung their bodies on five trees, where they remained until evening. At sunset Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then they placed large stones over the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day."

Significance

Piram's defeat, along with the other Amorite kings, demonstrated the power and faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to Israel. The victory at Gibeon was a pivotal moment in the conquest of Canaan, showcasing the divine assistance granted to Israel in their campaign to claim the Promised Land. The account of Piram serves as a testament to the consequences of opposing God's chosen people and the ultimate triumph of God's will.Joshua 10:3,16-18,24-27
Why Adonizedec king of Jerusalem, sent to Hoham king of Hebron, and to Piram king of Jarmuth, and to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,
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