The Gibeonites were a group of people who inhabited the city of Gibeon, located in the central region of Canaan. They are most notably recognized for their cunning treaty with the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. The account of the Gibeonites being attacked by the kings of Canaan is a significant event that underscores the unfolding of God's plan for Israel and His protection over those who align themselves with His people.

Background and Treaty with Israel

The Gibeonites, aware of the Israelites' victories over Jericho and Ai, feared for their survival. To secure their safety, they resorted to deception, pretending to be envoys from a distant land seeking a peace treaty with Israel. Joshua and the leaders of Israel, without seeking the counsel of the LORD, made a covenant of peace with them (Joshua 9:14-15). When the truth of their proximity was discovered, the Israelites honored the treaty due to the oath they had sworn before God, sparing the Gibeonites but subjecting them to servitude (Joshua 9:18-21).

The Attack by the Kings of Canaan

The alliance between the Gibeonites and Israel incited fear among the surrounding Canaanite kings. Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, led a coalition of five Amorite kings to attack Gibeon, perceiving the treaty as a threat to their own security and dominance in the region (Joshua 10:1-5). The Gibeonites, recognizing their vulnerability, sent an urgent plea to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal: "Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, for all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have joined forces against us" (Joshua 10:6).

Divine Intervention and Victory

In response to the Gibeonites' plea, Joshua led the Israelite army on an all-night march from Gilgal to Gibeon. 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 LORD's intervention was evident as He threw the Amorite armies into confusion before Israel, and as they fled, He hurled large hailstones from the sky, killing more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword (Joshua 10:10-11).

In a miraculous display of divine power, Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the Valley of Aijalon, allowing the Israelites more time to achieve complete victory. The LORD heeded Joshua's request, and the celestial bodies paused, demonstrating God's sovereignty over creation and His commitment to His people (Joshua 10:12-14).

Significance

The attack on the Gibeonites and their subsequent deliverance by Israel highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative. It underscores the importance of faithfulness to covenants, as Israel honored their treaty despite the Gibeonites' initial deception. The event also illustrates God's protection and provision for those who align themselves with His purposes, as seen in His miraculous intervention on behalf of both Israel and the Gibeonites. Furthermore, it serves as a testament to God's power and His ability to use even the natural order to fulfill His promises and secure victory for His people.Joshua 10:1-5
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;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... by night laid an ambush round about the city, he attacked the enemies ... These kings
which made war with, and were ready to fight the Gibeonites, being thus ...
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The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
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kings came and fought;"then fought the kings of Canaan."In Taanach by ...
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Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace ...
... is made clear by the reference to the Gibeonites (Josh ... the inauguration chair of
the O'Neills, kings of Ulster ... In consequence he was attacked by the Cenel Eoghain ...
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Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
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condemned the Gibeonites (who by ... the month of July she was once attacked by a ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

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