When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals a crucial element of divine strategy: God permitted southern Canaan to fall before uniting the northern kings against Israel. This delay was not an oversight but a deliberate tactic to build Israel's confidence through earlier victories, ensuring they were ready for this formidable northern confederacy.
When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having conquered the southern parts of Canaan, Joshua's victories sent shockwaves throughout the region. In response, Jabin, the powerful king of Hazor in the north, galvanized a massive coalition by rallying other northern Canaanite kings to form a united front against Israel. This alliance, comprised of kings from Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, represented a formidable new threat that Israel would soon face.
Joshua's victories in the south sent shockwaves. But instead of scattering in fear, a powerful new alliance formed in the north. What does this tell us about the enemy's strategy and God's timing?
When the southern Canaanite kings were defeated, it didn't end the threat. Instead, news of these crushing losses spurred Jabin, the king of Hazor—a major northern city—to action. He immediately sent messages to other kings in the region, calling for a unified front against Israel.
A Strategic Summit
This wasn't a disorganized reaction. Jabin, recognizing Hazor's prominence (it's called the 'head of all those kingdoms'), understood the need for a coalition. He sent for the kings of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph. This suggests a coordinated effort to pool resources and present a formidable challenge to Israel's advance.
Divine Providence at Work
While the Canaanites formed their alliance, the text subtly hints at God's hand. Commentators like Wesley and Benson point out that this division among many kings, rather than a single, powerful leader, and their delayed response, were part of God's plan. This allowed Israel to gain confidence and experience through earlier victories before facing this larger, consolidated threat.
The king of Hazor, Jabin, is presented as the initiator of this northern alliance. Why was Hazor such a significant center of power, and what does its role reveal about the Canaanite resistance?
The Strategic Center
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Hazor is identified as a key city, described as the 'head of all those kingdoms' (Joshua 11:10). Its strategic location in northern Canaan, likely overlooking the waters of Merom, made it a natural stronghold and a center for regional power. Its inhabitants were known for their reliance on horses and chariots, making them a formidable military force.
A Name of Fear
Commentaries note that 'Jabin' might have been an official title or a dynastic name, suggesting a long-standing lineage of powerful rulers in Hazor. The fact that this king could rally other regional rulers indicates his influence and the strategic importance of his capital.
A Persistent Threat
Hazor's significance wasn't just historical; it remained a threat. Even after Joshua's conquest and destruction of the city, it was later rebuilt and became the seat of another oppressive Canaanite king mentioned in the book of Judges. This demonstrates that the conquest of Canaan was a process, not a single event, and that key centers of opposition required repeated confrontation.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A person who holds supreme power and authority over a specific territory or people group, often exercising absolute rule. In the Old Testament, these were often local city-state rulers whom Israel encountered during the conquest.
This verse marks the critical moment when the northern Canaanite kingdoms, previously content to watch Israel's southern campaigns unfold, finally recognize the existential threat and unite against Joshua, setting the stage for a climactic battle.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Southern Canaan
Joshua and the Israelites defeat southern Canaanite kings, including Adonizedek of Jerusalem, at Beth-horon and capture key cities like Jerusalem, Hebron, and Debir.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Secure Southern Territory
Following the southern campaigns, the Israelites establish their presence and control over a significant portion of the land.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Northern Kings Form Coalition
Alarmed by Israel's rapid conquests in the south, Jabin, king of Hazor, rallies other northern Canaanite kings, including those of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, to form a defensive alliance.
c. 1400 BC
Battle of the Waters of Merom
Joshua's forces unexpectedly attack the allied northern kings by the Waters of Merom, decisively defeating them and scattering their armies.
c. 1400 BC
Destruction of Hazor
Following the great victory, Joshua captures and utterly destroys Hazor, the capital of Jabin's kingdom and the center of the northern Canaanite confederacy.
c. 1400 BC
Consolidation of Northern Conquests
Joshua systematically campaigns through the northern territories, conquering cities and destroying their inhabitants as commanded by God.
This passage introduces the same King Jabin of Hazor who oppressed Israel years later, highlighting how the Canaanite threat, though seemingly defeated, could regroup and pose a significant danger.
Exodus 23:28God promised to send hornets ahead of the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites, a divine intervention that would have preceded this organized alliance against them.
Deuteronomy 7:1This verse details the command for Israel to drive out the nations, providing the theological context for why Joshua was confronting these kings and their kingdoms.
Psalm 20:7This psalm contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the Lord, directly reflecting the military strategy God commanded Joshua to dismantle (burning chariots and disabling horses) in the face of such formidable alliances.
calvinJoshua 11:1-15: "And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,"
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shall hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
Dixit autem Jehova ad Josuam, Ne timeas a facie eorum: cras enim hoc tempore tradam omnes istos occisos…
barnesJoshua 11:1: "And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,"
Jabin - Probably the hereditary and official title of the kings of Hazor (see Judges 4:2 ). The word means literally "he shall understand," and is equivalent to "the wise" or "intelligent." Hazor - This name, which means "enclosed or "fortified," belonged also to two other towns in the south of Judah (compare Joshua 15…
This verse reveals a crucial element of divine strategy: God permitted southern Canaan to fall before uniting the northern kings against Israel. This delay was not an oversight but a deliberate tactic to build Israel's confidence through earlier victories, ensuring they were ready for this formidable northern confederacy.
Having conquered the southern parts of Canaan, Joshua's victories sent shockwaves throughout the region. In response, Jabin, the powerful king of Hazor in the north, galvanized a massive coalition by rallying other northern Canaanite kings to form a united front against Israel. This alliance, comprised of kings from Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, represented a formidable new threat that Israel would soon face.
Having conquered the southern parts of Canaan, Joshua's victories sent shockwaves throughout the region. In response, Jabin, the powerful king of Hazor in the north, galvanized a massive coalition by rallying other northern Canaanite kings to form a united front against Israel. This alliance, comprised of kings from Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, represented a formidable new threat that Israel would soon face.
"When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph," — This verse reveals a crucial element of divine strategy: God permitted southern Canaan to fall before uniting the northern kings against Israel. This delay was not an oversight but a deliberate tacti…
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Last reviewed October 2026