Topical Encyclopedia Gibbethon was a city allocated to the tribe of Dan, located in the territory of the Philistines. It is mentioned in the context of several significant events in the history of the divided monarchy of Israel. The city is primarily noted for its association with the sieges that occurred during the reigns of the kings of Israel.Biblical References: 1. Allocation to the Tribe of Dan: Gibbethon is first mentioned in the context of the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. It was one of the cities given to the tribe of Dan, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. "And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with its pasturelands, Gibbethon with its pasturelands" (Joshua 21:23). 2. Siege during the Reign of Nadab: The first recorded siege of Gibbethon occurred during the reign of Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Nadab was besieging Gibbethon, which was then under Philistine control, when he was assassinated by Baasha. "Now Nadab son of Jeroboam became king over Israel in the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, and he reigned two years. And Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon of the Philistines. Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and he struck him down at Gibbethon" (1 Kings 15:25-27). 3. Siege during the Reign of Elah: The second notable siege of Gibbethon took place during the reign of Elah, the son of Baasha. Elah's reign was marked by instability, and while his forces were besieging Gibbethon, he was assassinated by Zimri, one of his officials. "In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years. However, while Elah was in Tirzah drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was in charge of the palace at Tirzah, Zimri, one of his officials who had command of half his chariots, conspired against him. So Zimri went in, struck Elah down, and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, and he succeeded Elah as king" (1 Kings 16:8-10). Historical and Theological Significance: The sieges of Gibbethon highlight the political instability and internal strife that characterized the northern kingdom of Israel during the period of the divided monarchy. The repeated sieges and assassinations of kings at Gibbethon underscore the turbulent nature of Israel's leadership and the constant threat posed by external enemies such as the Philistines. From a theological perspective, these events illustrate the consequences of Israel's departure from the covenantal faithfulness required by God. The narrative of the sieges at Gibbethon serves as a backdrop to the prophetic warnings and judgments pronounced against the house of Jeroboam and Baasha, emphasizing the divine retribution for idolatry and disobedience. Gibbethon, therefore, stands as a testament to the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining their territorial integrity and spiritual fidelity amidst the pressures of surrounding hostile nations and internal power struggles. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 15:27And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon. Nave's Topical Index Library How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ... Concerning the Death of a Son of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam was Beaten ... The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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