This verse from Joshua 10:2 explains the reaction of the surrounding Amorite kings to Gibeon's decision to make peace with Joshua and the Israelites. Let's break it down:
"they were very afraid": This refers to the kings of the Amorites who were in the region, particularly the king of Jerusalem, who is the main focus of chapter 10.
"because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities": Gibeon was not just an ordinary town. It was large and significant, comparable to cities that housed kings. This indicates it was a city with wealth, resources, and likely a strong defensive structure.
"and because it was greater than Ai": Ai was a city that the Israelites had previously conquered (Joshua 7-8). The fact that Gibeon was greater than Ai highlights its considerable strength and importance. If the Israelites found Ai challenging, Gibeon would be an even more formidable opponent.
"and all its men were mighty": Not only was the city itself strong, but its inhabitants were skilled and strong warriors. This suggests a well-trained and capable fighting force.
In summary, the verse explains the fear of the surrounding Amorite kings because Gibeon was a large, important, and well-defended city with a powerful army. Their alliance with the Israelites was seen as a significant threat to the Amorite kings' power and security in the region. The Amorite kings likely felt threatened by both Gibeon's inherent strength and their newly formed alliance with the Israelites, whom they had already seen defeat other cities. This fear motivated them to unite and attack Gibeon, which then triggered Joshua's intervention and the subsequent battle.
This verse from Joshua 10:2 explains the reaction of the surrounding Amorite kings to Gibeon's decision to make peace with Joshua and the Israelites. Let's break it down:
"they were very afraid": This refers to the kings of the Amorites who were in the region, particularly the king of Jerusalem, who is the main focus of chapter 10.
"because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities": Gibeon was not just an ordinary town. It was large and significant, comparable to cities that housed kings. This indicates it was a city with wealth, resources, and likely a strong defensive structure.
"and because it was greater than Ai": Ai was a city that the Israelites had previously conquered (Joshua 7-8). The fact that Gibeon was greater than Ai highlights its considerable strength and importance. If the Israelites found Ai challenging, Gibeon would be an even more formidable opponent.
"and all its men were mighty": Not only was the city itself strong, but its inhabitants were skilled and strong warriors. This suggests a well-trained and capable fighting force.
In summary, the verse explains the fear of the surrounding Amorite kings because Gibeon was a large, important, and well-defended city with a powerful army. Their alliance with the Israelites was seen as a significant threat to the Amorite kings' power and security in the region. The Amorite kings likely felt threatened by both Gibeon's inherent strength and their newly formed alliance with the Israelites, whom they had already seen defeat other cities. This fear motivated them to unite and attack Gibeon, which then triggered Joshua's intervention and the subsequent battle.