The Coalition Against Gibeon refers to the alliance of Amorite kings who united to attack the city of Gibeon after it made a peace treaty with the Israelites. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 10:1-15. The coalition was led by Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, and included Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon.

Background

The Gibeonites, having heard of the Israelites' conquests and the destruction of Jericho and Ai, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty with Joshua and the Israelites (Joshua 9:3-15). They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land and successfully convinced the Israelites to make a covenant with them. When the ruse was discovered, the Israelites honored the treaty but made the Gibeonites servants (Joshua 9:16-27).

Formation of the Coalition

The news of Gibeon's treaty with Israel alarmed the surrounding Amorite kings. Gibeon was a significant city, described as "a great city, like one of the royal cities" and "greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty" (Joshua 10:2). The alliance of these kings was a strategic move to counter the growing influence and threat of the Israelites in the region.

Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, initiated the coalition, fearing the implications of Gibeon's alliance with Israel. He reached out to the other Amorite kings, urging them to join forces and attack Gibeon for its betrayal (Joshua 10:3-4).

The Battle

The five kings and their armies besieged Gibeon. In response, the Gibeonites sent an urgent plea to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, asking for immediate assistance (Joshua 10:6). Joshua, honoring the treaty, led the Israelite army on an all-night march 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 Israelites launched a surprise attack, and the Lord threw the Amorite armies into confusion. As they fled, the Lord sent hailstones from the sky, killing more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword (Joshua 10:10-11).

The Miracle of the Sun and Moon

During the battle, Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the Valley of Aijalon. The Lord answered this prayer, and "the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies" (Joshua 10:13). This miraculous event is noted as unprecedented, as "there has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man" (Joshua 10:14).

Aftermath

The coalition's defeat was decisive. The five kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah, where they were captured and executed by Joshua (Joshua 10:16-27). The victory at Gibeon marked a significant turning point in the Israelite conquest of Canaan, demonstrating the Lord's power and faithfulness to His people.

The Coalition Against Gibeon serves as a testament to the Lord's intervention on behalf of Israel and the fulfillment of His promises to give them the land of Canaan. The event underscores the importance of faithfulness to covenants and the consequences of opposing God's chosen people.