Topical Bible: Jerusalem: The King of, Defeated and Slain by Joshua

◄ Jerusalem: The King of, Defeated and Slain by Joshua ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Jerusalem, a city of profound historical and theological significance, is first mentioned in the context of its king's defeat by Joshua during the Israelite conquest of Canaan. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, which details the Israelites' divinely ordained campaign to take possession of the Promised Land.

Historical Context

The city of Jerusalem, known in ancient times as Jebus, was inhabited by the Jebusites, a Canaanite tribe. The king of Jerusalem during Joshua's conquest was Adoni-Zedek. His name, meaning "Lord of Righteousness," reflects the common practice of Canaanite kings adopting titles that ascribe divine or noble attributes to themselves.

The Coalition Against Israel

Upon hearing of Joshua's victories at Jericho and Ai, and the peace treaty made with the Gibeonites, Adoni-Zedek became alarmed. Recognizing the strategic threat posed by the Israelites, he formed a coalition with four other Amorite kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. This alliance aimed to punish Gibeon for allying with Israel and to halt the Israelite advance.

The Battle and Divine Intervention

The narrative of the battle is found in Joshua 10. The coalition of Amorite kings laid siege to Gibeon, prompting the Gibeonites to call for Joshua's aid. In response, Joshua led a surprise 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 battle was marked by miraculous divine intervention. As the Israelites fought, the Lord threw the Amorites into confusion, 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). Furthermore, Joshua famously commanded the sun and moon to stand still to prolong the daylight, allowing Israel to achieve complete victory (Joshua 10:12-14).

The Defeat and Execution of the Kings

Following the rout of their armies, the five Amorite kings sought refuge in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave's entrance to be sealed with large stones and guarded. After the battle, the kings were brought out, humiliated by having the Israelite commanders place their feet on their necks, and then executed. Their bodies were hung on trees until evening, in accordance with the law, and then thrown back into the cave, which was sealed with stones (Joshua 10:16-27).

Theological Significance

The defeat of the king of Jerusalem and his allies underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and faithfulness. The Lord's intervention in the battle demonstrates His power and commitment to fulfilling His promises to Israel. The miraculous events, such as the hailstones and the extended daylight, serve as a testament to God's direct involvement in the affairs of His people.

This episode also foreshadows the future significance of Jerusalem in biblical history. Though initially a Canaanite stronghold, Jerusalem would later become the political and spiritual center of Israel under King David, and ultimately, the site of the Temple, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 10:5-23
Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Kings.
... in bloody conflicts, near Mount Gilboa, defeated and wounded, he ... who was at length
proclaimed king by all ... intrusted to Joab, and remained himself at Jerusalem. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... He defeated in battle the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah ... will the Antichrist be a veritable
king among men ... followers of David being driven from Jerusalem into the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

The Israelites
... organised his forces; the Philistines were defeated in battle ... country, was taken
by the Assyrian king Sargon, and ... back from the walls of Jerusalem, and though ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... If they transgressed His laws they were defeated and put ... and apostasy; the third
king, Solomon, violated ... who captured their beloved Jerusalem, destroyed their ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... absolutely, who was bound to consume it in Jerusalem. ... brother's hand, and his forces
are defeated and slain ... towns, Robel and Thamuathares; the king of Canaan ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Appendices
... 882 Omri 882 Ahab 874 Ahab and his allies defeated by the ... is lost.""And now as to
the city of Jerusalem, if this country belongs to the king, why is it ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... with the suggestion that the Israelites defeated by Merneptah ... in the fourteenth year
of Hezekiah, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Jerusalem. ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Christ Triumphant
... boast of a single victory, he is thoroughly defeated. ... his vesture and on his thigh
written, KING OF KINGS ... with love for the daughters of Jerusalem." Clothed in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ triumphant.htm

Canaan
... the war went against the Israelitish king; he was ... The Philistine forces were defeated
in battle after ... were speedily followed by his imprisonment in Jerusalem. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Great Confession - the Great Commission - the Great ...
... active persecutions of the Pharisees from Jerusalem, the inquiries ... Jesus would seem
to have been defeated, and to ... to that Kingdom of which Christ was the King. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxvii the great confession.htm