This verse sets the stage for a conflict in the book of Joshua. Let's break down what it means:
"Now when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it...": Adoni-Zedek, the king of Jerusalem, received news of Joshua's military successes. Specifically, he learned about the complete destruction of Ai.
"...as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king...": This emphasizes the thoroughness of Joshua's victories. The same fate that befell Jericho and its king (likely destruction and death) was also inflicted upon Ai and its king. This would have been terrifying news for the surrounding kingdoms.
"...and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them": This is a critical point. The people of Gibeon, fearing the same fate as Jericho and Ai, cleverly tricked the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them. This treaty meant that Gibeon was now under the protection of Israel and part of their camp.
In essence, this verse means:
The king of Jerusalem, Adoni-Zedek, was alarmed and threatened by Joshua's recent victories over Ai and Jericho. He was particularly concerned that the people of Gibeon, a nearby city, had allied themselves with Israel. This alliance posed a significant threat to Jerusalem and the surrounding Canaanite kingdoms.
Significance:
This verse explains why the southern kings of Canaan decide to form an alliance against Joshua and Gibeon in the following verses. They saw Joshua's conquests and the Gibeonite alliance as a direct threat to their power and security.
This verse sets the stage for a conflict in the book of Joshua. Let's break down what it means:
"Now when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it...": Adoni-Zedek, the king of Jerusalem, received news of Joshua's military successes. Specifically, he learned about the complete destruction of Ai.
"...as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king...": This emphasizes the thoroughness of Joshua's victories. The same fate that befell Jericho and its king (likely destruction and death) was also inflicted upon Ai and its king. This would have been terrifying news for the surrounding kingdoms.
"...and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them": This is a critical point. The people of Gibeon, fearing the same fate as Jericho and Ai, cleverly tricked the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them. This treaty meant that Gibeon was now under the protection of Israel and part of their camp.
In essence, this verse means:
The king of Jerusalem, Adoni-Zedek, was alarmed and threatened by Joshua's recent victories over Ai and Jericho. He was particularly concerned that the people of Gibeon, a nearby city, had allied themselves with Israel. This alliance posed a significant threat to Jerusalem and the surrounding Canaanite kingdoms.
Significance:
This verse explains why the southern kings of Canaan decide to form an alliance against Joshua and Gibeon in the following verses. They saw Joshua's conquests and the Gibeonite alliance as a direct threat to their power and security.