Joshua 10:3
Wherefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The five-city coalition formed the core of southern Canaan's resistance. Jerusalem's central location and strength made Adoni-zedek natural leader. Hebron (twenty miles south), Jarmuth (sixteen miles southwest), Lachish (thirty miles southwest), and Eglon (location debated, likely nearby) created a geographic bloc in the southern highlands and Shephelah (foothills). These cities represented significant military power—Lachish especially was a major fortified city (archaeological excavations reveal massive walls and gates). The coalition's formation shows sophisticated political coordination among normally independent city-states. Ancient Near Eastern alliances typically involved mutual defense pacts with lead cities calling on allies during crisis. The decision to attack Gibeon rather than Israel directly reveals strategic thinking: directly attacking Israel had failed (Jericho, Ai); punishing Gibeon might restore Canaanite unity and deter further defections. The strategy almost worked—except it triggered Israel's treaty obligation to defend Gibeon, bringing the decisive confrontation Canaanites hoped to avoid.
Questions for Reflection
- How do coalitions form against perceived threats, and what does this teach about spiritual opposition's organized nature?
- What does attacking the defector (Gibeon) rather than the main enemy (Israel) teach about strategic priorities?
- When has God used enemies' strategies against defectors to actually advance His purposes?
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Analysis & Commentary
Adoni-zedek assembles a coalition: sending to four other kings (Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon) with the message 'Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.' The number five (Jerusalem plus four allies) creates a significant alliance. The invitation 'come up unto me' suggests Jerusalem's primacy or elevation (geographically and politically). The verb 'help' (עָזַר, azar) requests military assistance, forming coalition warfare. The stated target—Gibeon—reveals the strategy: punish the defector to deter others. The phrase 'it hath made peace' uses the verb שָׁלוֹם (shalom—peace), the same root as the desired outcome (peace), now treated as treachery. Perspective matters: what Gibeon saw as survival, Canaanites saw as betrayal. The dual identification 'Joshua and the children of Israel' recognizes both leadership and nation as covenant partners with Gibeon.