Gibeon
“Hill city”
Summary
A great Hivite city whose inhabitants made a shrewd treaty with Joshua, later becoming the site of the tabernacle and Solomon's famous dream.
☩The Treaty with Joshua
Gibeon was the greatest of the Hivite cities, larger than Ai and populated by skilled warriors. Terrified by the fate of Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites sent a delegation disguised as ambassadors from a far country—their clothes worn, their provisions moldy—to deceive Joshua into making a covenant with them. Three days later the deception was discovered, but the Israelites honored their oath. Joshua cursed the Gibeonites, condemning them to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for the sanctuary.
☩The Battle of Gibeon
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem learned that Gibeon had made peace with Israel, he formed a coalition of five Amorite kings to punish the traitors. The Gibeonites appealed to Joshua, who made a swift night march from Gilgal and fell suddenly upon the confederate armies. It was during this battle that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still over Gibeon, giving Israel time to complete their victory. Great hailstones also fell upon the fleeing enemy.
☩The Sacred Site
Gibeon became the seat of the ancient sanctuary where the tabernacle made in the wilderness was set up for many years during the reigns of David and Solomon. It was called 'the great high place,' and there Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings. After his great sacrifice, Solomon slept in the sanctuary and dreamed his famous dream in which God offered him whatever he wished. Solomon chose wisdom, and God gave him riches and honor as well.
☩Other Historical Events
At the pool of Gibeon, the armies of Ishbosheth under Abner and David under Joab met in a sharp conflict that led to the death of Asahel and eventually to Abner's murder. By the great stone in Gibeon, Joab treacherously killed Amasa. Here too Johanan overtook Ishmael and freed the captives taken from Mizpah after Gedaliah's assassination.
Related Verses38 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Gibeon," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gibeon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Gibeon," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.George Morrish, "Gibeon," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Gibeon," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).