Joshua 10:1-15
Q.1. What are we to make of the name, Adoni-zedek? Why did the king of Jerusalem form a coalition against the Gibeonites? How did the Gibeonites respond? (Josh.10:1-6 c.f. Gen.14:18; Heb.7:1-3)
Adoni-Zedek meaning – ‘the lord of righteousness’ was king of Jerusalem, before it was conquered by David. David would make Jerusalem his capital city. It was the place where God would dwell amongst His people – in the place which He would choose (Josh.9:27 c.f. 2 Sam.5:6-9; Ps.132:13-14). What prompted Adoni-zedek to act against Gibeon? Fear. Gibeon was a great city. They might barely defeat it with the help of the neighbouring kings. However, if Israel aligned with Gibeon, Adoni-Zedek would have no hope. He gathered the armies of the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon to attack Gibeon, so that they might withstand Israel (Josh.10:1-5). When Gibeon saw the invading armies, they hastily sent word to Israel, asking for protection (Josh.10:6).
Q.2. Did the Israelites honour their covenant with the Gibeonites? How did God support the action of Joshua? How did the joining of the five Amorite kings assist the conquest of the Promised Land? – (Josh.10:6-10)
Israel could have broken their agreement with Gibeon but chose to stand by the covenant that they had made in God’s name. Best of all, the Lord assured them – Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you (Josh.10:8). Wisely, Joshua mounted a surprise attack on the enemy. He didn’t tempt God by being slack or unprepared. He had a battle plan (Josh.10:10). If ever we have opponents who gang up against us, we can feel overwhelmed. This story reminds us that inevitably the enemy’s schemes are overcome by the Lord. Instead of the Israelites having to fight multiple battles, here God helped them defeat many nations in one operation.
Q.3. How did God assist the Israelites to rout the enemy? What faith prayer from Joshua did God honour? Why was the event documented? – (Josh.10:11-15)
Though Joshua displayed excellent skills as a general, the battle was won because of the extraordinary intervention by God – As they fled from before Israel, … the Lord threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword (Josh.10:11). Joshua was so confident in God’s promise of victory and His miraculous intervention, that he cried out to God before his army – … O sun, stand still at Gibeon, and O moon in the valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies (Josh.10:12-13). His prayer was based on God’s promise to him (Josh.10:8). This event was unique – There was no day like that before it or after it, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel (Josh.10:14). Preserving a written history was extremely important to Israel – to its prophets, kings, priests, and people (Dt.17:18-20). This was written for our instruction, encouragement, and hope (Rom.15:4; 1 Cor.10:11). As with the Flood, there never has been, nor ever will be, anything like this event again (Gen.7:23; 8:21;].