Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: "Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us." Then the men of GibeonThe Gibeonites were a group of Hivites who lived in the land of Canaan. Historically, they had deceived Joshua and the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land (Joshua 9). Despite their deception, the Israelites honored their covenant, which reflects the importance of keeping one's word, a principle deeply rooted in the Hebrew culture and law. sent word to Joshua
This phrase indicates the urgency and desperation of the Gibeonites. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sending a message was a formal act, often involving a messenger who would travel swiftly to deliver the plea. The act of sending word to Joshua signifies the Gibeonites' recognition of Joshua's leadership and the power of the God of Israel. in the camp at Gilgal
Gilgal was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. It served as a base of operations for their military campaigns. Archaeologically, Gilgal is significant as it represents the initial foothold of the Israelites in Canaan, symbolizing the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. Do not abandon your servants
The Gibeonites refer to themselves as "servants," acknowledging their subordinate position due to the treaty with Israel. This plea highlights the covenantal relationship, where the stronger party (Israel) is expected to protect the weaker (Gibeonites). Theologically, it reflects the biblical theme of God’s faithfulness and protection over those who seek refuge under His covenant. Come up to us quickly and save us!
The urgency in this plea is palpable. The phrase "come up" is geographically accurate, as Gibeon was located in the hill country, requiring an ascent from the Jordan Valley. The call for salvation echoes the broader biblical narrative of God as a deliverer, a theme that resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments. Help us, for all the Amorite kings
The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes. Historically, they were known for their fortified cities and military prowess. The coalition of Amorite kings against Gibeon underscores the threat faced by the Gibeonites and the strategic importance of their alliance with Israel. This coalition also sets the stage for God’s miraculous intervention in the battle that follows. living in the hill country
The hill country of Canaan was a region of strategic military importance, characterized by its rugged terrain and fortified cities. This geographical detail emphasizes the formidable nature of the enemy alliance and the challenge that lay ahead for Joshua and the Israelites. have joined forces against us
The unification of the Amorite kings against Gibeon illustrates the common practice of forming coalitions in ancient warfare. This alliance against a common enemy highlights the political dynamics of the region and sets the stage for the divine intervention that would demonstrate God’s power and faithfulness to Israel. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face and the assurance of God’s support in times of adversity. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to succeed Moses and lead the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. 2. GibeonA significant Canaanite city that made a peace treaty with Israel, becoming their servants. The Gibeonites are now seeking Joshua's help against a coalition of Amorite kings. 3. GilgalThe Israelite camp and base of operations during the conquest of Canaan. It is where Joshua receives the plea for help from the Gibeonites. 4. Amorite KingsA coalition of five kings from the hill country who have united to attack Gibeon due to its alliance with Israel. 5. The GibeonitesInhabitants of Gibeon who, through deception, secured a treaty with Israel. They are now under threat and call upon Joshua for assistance. Teaching Points The Importance of Keeping CovenantsDespite the deceptive means by which the Gibeonites secured their treaty, Joshua honors the agreement, demonstrating the importance of integrity and faithfulness to one's word. God's Sovereignty in BattleThe plea for help underscores the belief that victory in battle is ultimately determined by God's intervention and support. Unity and Support Among BelieversThe Gibeonites' call for help and Joshua's response highlight the importance of supporting one another in times of need, reflecting the unity that should exist within the body of Christ. Trust in Divine TimingThe urgency of the Gibeonites' request and Joshua's subsequent action remind believers to trust in God's timing and provision, even in dire circumstances. The Power of IntercessionThe Gibeonites' plea can be seen as a form of intercession, teaching believers the importance of seeking God's help through prayer and supplication. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joshua's response to the Gibeonites' plea reflect the importance of honoring commitments, even when they are made under less-than-ideal circumstances? 2. In what ways does the coalition of Amorite kings against Gibeon parallel spiritual battles believers face today, and how can we apply Joshua's example in our own lives? 3. How does the location of Gilgal serve as a strategic and spiritual base for the Israelites, and what can this teach us about the importance of having a strong foundation in our faith? 4. How can the unity between Israel and Gibeon, despite their initial deception, inform our understanding of reconciliation and support within the Christian community? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to rely on God's timing and provision in a challenging situation. How does Joshua 10:6 encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 9Provides context for the alliance between Israel and Gibeon, explaining the deceptive treaty that led to their current relationship. Exodus 17Illustrates another instance where God's people are called to defend against a coalition of enemies, highlighting the theme of divine assistance in battle. Psalm 46Emphasizes God as a refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble, which parallels the Gibeonites' plea for help. 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 Abandon, Amorite, Amorites, Assembled, Camp, Cease, Dwell, Dwelling, Forces, Gathered, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hands, Haste, Hill, Hill-country, Joined, Joshua, Kings, Mountains, Quickly, Relax, Safe, Safety, Save, Saying, Servants, Slack, Slow, Support, Tent-circle, WithdrawDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:1-7 7240 Jerusalem, history Joshua 10:5-6 5205 alliance Joshua 10:6-10 1320 God, as Saviour Joshua 10:6-14 5608 warfare, strategies 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 10:6 NIVJoshua 10:6 NLTJoshua 10:6 ESVJoshua 10:6 NASBJoshua 10:6 KJV
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