The Amorites were one of the ancient Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the peoples that the Israelites encountered and often battled during their conquest of the Promised Land. The Amorites were known for their formidable presence and influence in the region, with their territory extending from the hill country of Judah to the northern parts of Canaan.

Historical Context

The Amorites are first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 10:16 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. They are depicted as a powerful and numerous people, often associated with the highlands and mountainous regions. The Israelites, under the leadership of Moses and later Joshua, engaged in several conflicts with the Amorites as they sought to claim the land promised to them by God.

Conquest and Subjugation

The conquest of the Amorite territories is a significant theme in the narrative of Israel's settlement in Canaan. In Numbers 21:21-25, the Israelites, led by Moses, defeated Sihon, the king of the Amorites, and took possession of his land. Similarly, in Joshua 10:5-10, the Amorite kings formed a coalition against the Israelites but were ultimately defeated by Joshua in a miraculous victory attributed to divine intervention.

Amorites Under Solomon

The subjugation of the Amorites reached a new phase during the reign of King Solomon. Solomon, known for his wisdom and extensive building projects, utilized forced labor from the remaining non-Israelite populations in the land, including the Amorites. This practice is documented in 1 Kings 9:20-21 : "As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)—their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day."

Solomon's use of the Amorites and other Canaanite peoples as laborers was part of his broader strategy to consolidate his kingdom and undertake ambitious construction projects, including the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. This policy of conscription reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, while also highlighting the complexities of Israel's interactions with the indigenous populations.

Theological Implications

The subjugation of the Amorites under Solomon can be seen as a continuation of the divine mandate given to the Israelites to possess the land of Canaan. It underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs. However, it also serves as a reminder of the moral and ethical challenges faced by the Israelites in their dealings with the Canaanite peoples.

The narrative of the Amorites being brought into bondage by Solomon illustrates the tension between divine justice and mercy, as well as the human responsibility to act justly. While the Israelites were commanded to drive out the inhabitants of the land, the presence of the Amorites and their eventual subjugation reflect the ongoing struggle to fully realize God's purposes amidst human imperfection.

Legacy

The legacy of the Amorites, as with many of the Canaanite tribes, is one of both conflict and coexistence with the Israelites. Their subjugation under Solomon marks a significant moment in Israel's history, where the fulfillment of God's promises intersects with the practical realities of nation-building and governance. The Amorites, though subdued, remain a testament to the enduring complexity of Israel's relationship with the peoples of Canaan.1 Kings 9:20,21
And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... let us refer to the calamities brought upon holy Job ... relates that Simon, king of
the Amorites, did not ... of the Israelites to strike terror into nations formerly ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

The Israelites
... of Abraham; Khammurabi, the Amraphel of Genesis, entitles himself king of "the land
of the Amorites," as Palestine was ... This brought him into conflict with ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Solar Eclipse
... Israel, to drive out the Hittites and the Amorites that have ... There are many men that
are brought to Christ by ... that God gave to be our comforts into God's own ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the solar eclipse.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... the seasons and the laws, and they were given into his hand ... And I brought down rain
upon it, the words of My ... it and trimmed it, from the works of the Amorites. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

Egypt
... power and influence of Asia, and brought back the ... Hittites, Mitannians, and Amorites
all followed with them ... of the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

On Family Religion
... of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose ... the Lord is gracious, all whom
he has brought out of ... these too are, in a measure, delivered into you hands. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 94 on family religion.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... This last expedition had brought the king into contact ... the Eleutheros, but that which
flows into the sea ... Byblos, Mahallat, Maiza, Kaiza, the Amorites and Arvad ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... that in short time he will have brought his church ... even all the godly, be taken up
into heaven: with ... Bashan, and with Sihon, king of the Amorites, for refusing ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

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