This verse (Joshua 10:6) describes a desperate plea for help from the people of Gibeon to Joshua and the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal..." The Gibeonites, who had previously tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty with them (Joshua 9), are now in danger. They send messengers to Joshua who is currently camped at Gilgal, a strategic location for the Israelites.
"...saying, “Don’t abandon your servants! Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us..." The Gibeonites acknowledge their status as "servants" to Joshua, a consequence of their deceit. They are begging for immediate assistance, fearing for their lives. The urgency in their words ("quickly," "save us," "help us") highlights the dire situation they face.
"...for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill country have gathered together against us.” This explains why the Gibeonites are in such danger. A coalition of Amorite kings, rulers of powerful city-states in the region, have united and are attacking Gibeon. These Amorites were part of the Canaanite population that the Israelites were commanded to dispossess. The scale of the threat (multiple kings joined together) underscores the vulnerability of Gibeon and the necessity for Joshua's intervention.
In summary, the verse depicts the Gibeonites, bound by a treaty they obtained through deception, appealing to Joshua for protection against a coalition of Amorite kings who are attacking them. It sets the stage for Joshua's military intervention, fulfilling his obligation to defend the Gibeonites despite their past trickery. The verse also highlights the precarious political landscape of Canaan at that time, where local kings formed alliances against perceived threats like the Israelites and their allies.
This verse (Joshua 10:6) describes a desperate plea for help from the people of Gibeon to Joshua and the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal..." The Gibeonites, who had previously tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty with them (Joshua 9), are now in danger. They send messengers to Joshua who is currently camped at Gilgal, a strategic location for the Israelites.
"...saying, “Don’t abandon your servants! Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us..." The Gibeonites acknowledge their status as "servants" to Joshua, a consequence of their deceit. They are begging for immediate assistance, fearing for their lives. The urgency in their words ("quickly," "save us," "help us") highlights the dire situation they face.
"...for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill country have gathered together against us.” This explains why the Gibeonites are in such danger. A coalition of Amorite kings, rulers of powerful city-states in the region, have united and are attacking Gibeon. These Amorites were part of the Canaanite population that the Israelites were commanded to dispossess. The scale of the threat (multiple kings joined together) underscores the vulnerability of Gibeon and the necessity for Joshua's intervention.
In summary, the verse depicts the Gibeonites, bound by a treaty they obtained through deception, appealing to Joshua for protection against a coalition of Amorite kings who are attacking them. It sets the stage for Joshua's military intervention, fulfilling his obligation to defend the Gibeonites despite their past trickery. The verse also highlights the precarious political landscape of Canaan at that time, where local kings formed alliances against perceived threats like the Israelites and their allies.