Gibeon

Lore & Background

Gibeon first appears when its inhabitants, hearing of Israel's victories, make a peace treaty with Joshua (Joshua 9:3, Joshua 11:19). This peace provokes an alliance of five Amorite kings—of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—who besiege Gibeon (Joshua 10:4-5). The Gibeonites appeal to Joshua for help (Joshua 10:6), leading to a divinely aided battle where the Lord discomfits the Amorites and Joshua commands the sun to stand still over Gibeon (Joshua 10:10, Joshua 10:12). Later, Gibeon is a site of conflict during the civil war between David and Ishbosheth: Joab and Abner's forces meet at the pool of Gibeon, where a deadly contest leads to the death of Asahel and later Abner's slaying by Joab (2 Samuel 2:12-16, 2 Samuel 2:24, 2 Samuel 3:30). The city also witnesses Joab's treacherous murder of Amasa at the great stone in Gibeon (2 Samuel 20:8).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Gibeon as a city of strategic and spiritual importance. Initially a Hivite city that secures peace through deception (Joshua 9:3, Joshua 11:19), it becomes a target of a coalition of Amorite kings, highlighting its perceived strength—described as 'a great city, as one of the royal cities' and 'greater than Ai' (Joshua 10:2). The battle at Gibeon is marked by divine intervention: the Lord discomfits the enemy and Joshua's miraculous command for the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:10, Joshua 10:12). Later, Gibeon serves as a religious center: the tabernacle and altar of burnt offering are located at its high place (1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Chronicles 21:29, 2 Chronicles 1:3), where Solomon offers a thousand burnt offerings and receives God's appearance in a dream (1 Kings 3:4-5). The city also features in violent episodes of the Davidic civil war, including the battle at the pool and the murder of Amasa (2 Samuel 2:13, 2 Samuel 20:8). Thus, Gibeon is depicted as a place of both covenant and conflict, worship and warfare.

Did You Know?

• Gibeon was a Hivite city that made peace with Israel, unlike all other cities taken in battle (Joshua 11:19).
• The sun stood still over Gibeon during Joshua's battle against the Amorite kings (Joshua 10:12).
• The tabernacle of the Lord was located at the high place in Gibeon during Solomon's early reign (1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Kings 3:4).
• A deadly contest at the pool of Gibeon gave the place the name Helkathhazzurim (2 Samuel 2:16).