Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction--doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king--and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them. Now Adoni-zedek king of JerusalemThe name "Adoni-zedek" means "Lord of Righteousness" in Hebrew, which is ironic given his opposition to God's people. This highlights the contrast between earthly titles and true righteousness found in obedience to God. Jerusalem, at this time, was a Canaanite city, and its king's reaction to Israel's victories underscores the fear and recognition of God's power among the Canaanite nations. heard that Joshua had captured Ai
The verb "heard" indicates the spread of news and the impact of Israel's conquests on the surrounding regions. Ai's capture was significant because it demonstrated Israel's resilience and God's continued support after the initial setback due to Achan's sin. This event would have sent shockwaves through the land, as Ai was a strategic city. and devoted it to destruction
The phrase "devoted it to destruction" refers to the Hebrew term "herem," which means to dedicate something completely to God, often through destruction. This was a form of divine judgment against the Canaanite cities, emphasizing God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. It also served to prevent Israel from being influenced by pagan practices. doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king
This comparison to Jericho highlights the consistency of God's commands and the obedience of Joshua and the Israelites. Jericho's fall was miraculous, and Ai's defeat, though achieved through military strategy, was equally a testament to God's guidance. The mention of the kings signifies the complete overthrow of these cities' leadership and the establishment of God's authority. and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel
The Gibeonites' decision to make peace with Israel was a strategic move for survival, recognizing the power of Israel's God. This peace treaty, though obtained through deception, was honored by Israel, showing the importance of oaths and covenants. It also illustrates God's mercy and the inclusion of Gentiles who seek peace with His people. and were living among them
The integration of the Gibeonites into Israelite society foreshadows the eventual inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant community. It serves as a reminder of God's plan for all nations to be blessed through Israel. This living arrangement also presented challenges and opportunities for Israel to remain faithful to God's laws while interacting with other cultures. Persons / Places / Events 1. Adoni-zedekThe king of Jerusalem during the time of Joshua. His name means "Lord of Righteousness," which is ironic given his opposition to God's people. 2. JerusalemA significant city in biblical history, later becoming the central city of Israel and the location of the Temple. 3. JoshuaThe leader of Israel who succeeded Moses, known for his military conquests and faithfulness to God. 4. AiA city that was captured and destroyed by Joshua and the Israelites, following God's command. 5. GibeonA city whose inhabitants made a treaty with Israel, choosing to live in peace with them rather than face destruction. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in LeadershipJoshua's leadership and military success are a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Believers can trust that God equips and guides those He calls to lead. The Irony of OppositionAdoni-zedek's name means "Lord of Righteousness," yet he opposes God's people. This serves as a reminder that not all who appear righteous are aligned with God's will. The Importance of AlliancesThe Gibeonites' decision to make peace with Israel highlights the importance of wise alliances. In our lives, aligning with godly influences can lead to protection and blessing. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe capture of Ai and the treaty with Gibeon are part of God's promise to give Israel the land. This encourages believers to trust in God's promises, knowing He is faithful to fulfill them. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the reaction of Adoni-zedek to Joshua's victories reflect the broader theme of opposition to God's plans? Consider how this applies to spiritual opposition today. 2. In what ways does the account of the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel demonstrate the importance of discernment and wisdom in forming alliances? 3. How can Joshua's leadership and reliance on God's guidance serve as a model for Christian leadership today? 4. Reflect on the significance of Jerusalem in this passage and its future role in biblical history. How does this inform our understanding of God's long-term plans? 5. How does the account of Joshua's conquests encourage us to trust in God's promises, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges? Consider other biblical examples of God's faithfulness. Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua's Conquests The events in Joshua 10:1 are part of a larger account of Joshua's military campaigns, which are detailed throughout the book of Joshua. These campaigns demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel. The Treaty with Gibeon The peace treaty with Gibeon is a significant event that is further explained in Joshua 9. It shows the Gibeonites' strategic decision to align with Israel, which later leads to their protection by Joshua. Jerusalem's Future Significance Jerusalem, mentioned here as a Canaanite city, later becomes the capital of Israel under King David and the site of the Temple, as seen in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. People Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, PiramPlaces Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of AijalonTopics Adonizedec, Adoni-zedec, Adoni-zedek, Ado'ni-ze'dek, Ai, Captured, Curse, Destroyed, Devote, Ears, Gibeon, Heareth, Inhabitants, Jericho, Jerusalem, Joshua, Midst, Pass, Peace, Totally, Treaty, Utterly, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:1 5592 treaty
5608 warfare, strategies Joshua 10:1-7 7240 Jerusalem, history Library Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPraying Saints of the Old Testaments
The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart, He will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall, and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth's music is discord and songless.--Rev. E. M. Bounds Old Testament history is filled with accounts of praying saints. The leaders of …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Gibeon. Josh 10:06
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John Newton—Olney Hymns The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 10:1 NIVJoshua 10:1 NLTJoshua 10:1 ESVJoshua 10:1 NASBJoshua 10:1 KJV
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