Battle #9 | Defeating The Southern Kings

A. A Miraculous Victory for Israel

I. The Southern Kings of Canaan attack Gibeon… V.1-5

a. Adoni-Zedek: King of Jerusalem

i. Hears of Joshua and the Israelites defeating:

A. Jericho

B. Ai

C. Made friends with the Gibeonites

ii. He was afraid of the Israelites, so he plans to attack their friends

A. Gibeon was a great city

B. Had mighty men

C. Bigger than Ai

D. Yet, they submitted to Israel because they loved and honored God.

II. Gibeon Plea for Help… V.6

a. The Gibeonites depended on Israel’s help

i. They were not too proud

ii. They didn’t depend on their own strength

B. Defeating the Southern Kings of Canaan

I. The Israelites are Loyal to the Gibeonites… V.7

a. Who were the Gibeonites?

i. They were neighbors.

ii. They lied and said they were from a far country.

iii. They asked to join with them and Gibeon would be their servants.

iv. Joshua and the Israelites made a promises in Ch 9 not to kill any of the Gibeonites.

b. Why was this promise wrong?

i. The Gibeonites were not honest

ii. Joshua didn’t talk to God before making the promise.

c. Israel didn’t turn their backs on Gibeon

i. This was their chance to get out of the promise

II. God Promises Joshua Safety and Victory… V.8

a. Joshua had reason to fear.

i. 1 Kingdom Vs. 5 Kingdoms

ii. God’s strength always overpowers our enemies.

b. God’s promises

i. God gives us so many promises, we just have to trust Him.

ii. FEAR: Unbelief; an unwillingness to believe what God has promised.

III. Joshua Responds with Faith… V.9

a. Joshua put great effort into doing what God wanted regardless of what was against him.

b. Joshua and his army worked hard:

i. They marched all night.

ii. Gilgal - Gibeon

A. A total climb of 3,300 feet

B. Distance 20 miles

C. Time: 8-10 hours