The fear of Adoni-zedek and the other Canaanite kings wasn't just about Joshua's military prowess, but about the Gibeonites, their neighbors, choosing to "make peace with Israel and were among them." This act of alliance and integration, rather than just defeat, signaled a profound shift in the political and social landscape, creating a precedent that threatened the entire Canaanite power structure.
As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh off victories at Jericho and Ai, Joshua's campaign of conquest has sent shockwaves through Canaan. The king of Jerusalem, Adoni-zedek, hears of these devastating successes and, more alarmingly, that the city of Gibeon has surprisingly made peace with Israel and joined their ranks. This development sparks fear and outrage, leading Adoni-zedek to rally other kings for a united front against Israel and to punish the Gibeonites for their perceived betrayal.
What happens when a leader hears news that shakes their world? Sometimes, it’s not a call to surrender, but a desperate attempt to rally others.
When Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, hears about Joshua's swift and brutal victories at Ai and Jericho, his first reaction isn't to negotiate or retreat. Instead, it’s fear, but this fear doesn't paralyze him; it mobilizes him. He sees the success of Israel not just as a military threat, but as a destabilizing force that could unravel the entire region.
He recognizes that the 'treason within their own camp'—the Gibeonites making peace with Israel—is a critical turning point. This act of surrender by their neighbors weakens the Canaanite front and makes their own position vulnerable. Adoni-zedek’s response is to forge an alliance with four other kings, driven by a shared fear and a desire to crush the Gibeonites as an example. Their goal: to stop the tide of Israel's conquest by eliminating this perceived threat within their own territory.
Why would powerful kings bypass the conquering army and attack their own neighbors instead? Sometimes, the immediate enemy isn't the main threat, but the symptom of a bigger problem.
The coalition led by Adoni-zedek makes a crucial strategic decision: they decide to attack Gibeon first. This might seem counterintuitive. Why not confront Joshua and his army directly?
Their reasoning is twofold. First, the Gibeonites' act of making peace with Israel is seen as a betrayal and a sign of weakness that must be punished. By attacking Gibeon, they aim to make an example of them, deterring any other Canaanite cities from considering surrender. Second, Gibeon’s strategic location, making peace with Israel, opens up southern Canaan to further incursions. By crushing Gibeon, they hope to sever this new alliance and potentially push Israel back.
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This shift in focus reveals that their war wasn't just about defeating Israel; it was about maintaining their own power and order. They saw the Gibeonites' independent action as a direct threat to the existing political structure and chose to address it decisively, hoping to regain control before Israel could consolidate its gains.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A title or designation for a leader of a city-state or territory, often implying both political and military authority. In the context of Canaan, these were often local rulers of fortified cities who operated independently or in loose coalitions.
cherem · Hebrew Noun/Verb (root)
A term referring to the practice of 'devoting to destruction' or setting apart entirely for God. It implies the complete removal of something from common use, often signifying total destruction in the context of divine judgment or warfare, ensuring nothing remains for human gain.
shalom · Hebrew Noun
A term describing a covenantal relationship, a state of harmony, or the absence of war. It represents not merely the absence of conflict but a wholeness and restored relationship, often established through an oath or treaty.
The immediate aftermath of the Gibeonite deception, revealing how Israel's actions triggered a major regional conflict that tested their faith and military prowess, highlighted by God's direct intervention.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites miraculously crossed the Jordan River, marking the beginning of their conquest of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Fall of Jericho
The Israelites, by divine command, marched around Jericho for seven days, after which its walls miraculously fell, and the city was destroyed.
c. 1400 BC
Fall of Ai
After an initial setback due to sin, Joshua led the Israelites to conquer Ai, a significant victory that instilled fear in the surrounding Canaanite kingdoms.
c. 1400 BC
Gibeonite Deception and Alliance
The inhabitants of Gibeon, fearing the Israelites, used trickery to secure a peace treaty and become allies, a move that would soon draw the attention of other kings.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Confederacy of Southern Kings
Alarmed by the fall of Jericho and Ai, and the alliance with Gibeon, five kings of the Amorites, led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem, form a coalition to attack Gibeon.
c. 1400 BC
Battle of Gibeon and Divine Intervention
Joshua's army swiftly comes to Gibeon's aid. God intervenes miraculously, causing hailstones to fall and prolonging the daylight, leading to a decisive Israelite victory.
This passage introduces Melchizedek, also a king of Salem (an early name for Jerusalem), who blesses Abraham. It highlights the ancient significance and leadership of Jerusalem, setting the stage for Adoni-zedek's role centuries later.
Joshua 9:3-15This is the direct prequel to the events in Joshua 10:1, detailing the Gibeonites' deceptive treaty with Joshua. Understanding their clever strategy explains why the surrounding kings, like Adoni-zedek, were so alarmed and felt betrayed.
Judges 1:8This verse describes the Israelites capturing Jerusalem after Joshua's death, though the Jebusites (the original inhabitants mentioned in Joshua 10:1) later reoccupied it. It shows the ongoing struggle for control of Jerusalem that began with this campaign.
Psalm 76:1-2This psalm references God's power displayed at Salem (Jerusalem), linking His presence with a place of peace and strength. It echoes the divine intervention seen in Joshua's conquest and the subsequent history of Jerusalem.
Isaiah 31:4-5This prophecy speaks of God defending Jerusalem against its enemies, just as He defended it through Joshua's actions in chapter 10. It reveals the long-term divine commitment to protecting the city despite its complex history.
calvinJoshua 10:1-14: "Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;"
- Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and h…
jfbJoshua 10:1: "Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;"
CHAPTER 10Jos 10:1-5. Five Kings War against Gibeon.1. Adoni-zedek—"lord of righteousness"—nearly synonymous with Melchizedek, "king of righteousness." These names were common titles of the Jebusite kings.J…
The fear of Adoni-zedek and the other Canaanite kings wasn't just about Joshua's military prowess, but about the Gibeonites, their neighbors, choosing to "make peace with Israel and were among them." This act of alliance and integration, rather than just defeat, signaled a profound shift in the political and social landscape, creating a precedent that threatened the entire Canaanite power structure.
Fresh off victories at Jericho and Ai, Joshua's campaign of conquest has sent shockwaves through Canaan. The king of Jerusalem, Adoni-zedek, hears of these devastating successes and, more alarmingly, that the city of Gibeon has surprisingly made peace with Israel and joined their ranks. This development sparks fear and outrage, leading Adoni-zedek to rally other kings for a united front against Israel and to punish the Gibeonites for their perceived betrayal.
Fresh off victories at Jericho and Ai, Joshua's campaign of conquest has sent shockwaves through Canaan. The king of Jerusalem, Adoni-zedek, hears of these devastating successes and, more alarmingly, that the city of Gibeon has surprisingly made peace with Israel and joined their ranks. This development sparks fear and outrage, leading Adoni-zedek to rally other kings for a united front against Israel and to punish the Gibeonites for their perceived betrayal.
"As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel an…" — The fear of Adoni-zedek and the other Canaanite kings wasn't just about Joshua's military prowess, but about the Gibeonites, their neighbors, choosing to "make peace with Israel and were among them."…
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Last reviewed October 2026
