Jos 10:1 | MHM | STEP | Joshua 10:1 – The Combination Against Gibeon This section explains how, after some time in Canaan, Israel’s progress seemed slow to some people. They had taken Jericho by a miracle, Ai by a clever plan, and Gibeon by surrender, but had not conquered much more. Some Israelites complained about Joshua’s careful approach, wanting faster action. However, God had promised to give them the land little by little (Exodus 23:30 ). Joshua wisely waited for the Canaanites to attack first, which made Israel’s later victories look more fair and just. God also planned for the Canaanite kings to unite, making it easier for Israel to defeat them all at once (Micah 4:12 ). Sometimes, waiting for the right moment brings a better result. v. 1 : Adoni-zedec, king of Jerusalem, became the leader of a group of five kings who joined together against the Gibeonites. His name means “lord of righteousness,” and he might have come from the family of Melchizedek, but he was an enemy to Israel. He was especially upset that Gibeon, a strong and important city, had made peace with Israel. He encouraged other kings to help attack Gibeon. He did this either to take back the city for his country or to punish Gibeon for joining Israel. This shows that people who follow God can sometimes be hated by others for their choices, just as Jesus said the world will hate his followers ( v. 1 ).

‏ Joshua 10:1

Joshua 10:1 – The Combination Against Gibeon

This section explains how, after some time in Canaan, Israel’s progress seemed slow to some people. They had taken Jericho by a miracle, Ai by a clever plan, and Gibeon by surrender, but had not conquered much more. Some Israelites complained about Joshua’s careful approach, wanting faster action. However, God had promised to give them the land little by little (Exodus 23:30 ^a). Joshua wisely waited for the Canaanites to attack first, which made Israel’s later victories look more fair and just. God also planned for the Canaanite kings to unite, making it easier for Israel to defeat them all at once (Micah 4:12 ^b). Sometimes, waiting for the right moment brings a better result.

v. 1: Adoni-zedec, king of Jerusalem, became the leader of a group of five kings who joined together against the Gibeonites. His name means “lord of righteousness,” and he might have come from the family of Melchizedek, but he was an enemy to Israel. He was especially upset that Gibeon, a strong and important city, had made peace with Israel. He encouraged other kings to help attack Gibeon. He did this either to take back the city for his country or to punish Gibeon for joining Israel. This shows that people who follow God can sometimes be hated by others for their choices, just as Jesus said the world will hate his followers (v. 1 ^c).