Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 10:5
Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
5. the five kings ] The names of the kings are not given here a second time, but of the cities over which they held sway, and they are mentioned in the same order.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 5. The five kings of the Amorites] This is a general name for the inhabitants of Canaan, otherwise called Canaanites; and it is very likely that they had this appellation because the Amorites were the most powerful tribe or nation in that country. The inhabitants of Jerusalem were Jebusites, Jos 15:63; those of Hebron were Hittites, Ge 23:2-3; Ge 25:9-10; and the Gibeonites were Hivites, Jos 9:7; and yet all these are called Amorites occasionally, probably for the reason already mentioned, viz., because that tribe was most numerous and powerful.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Amorites; this name being here taken largely or generally for any of the Canaanites, as is frequent; for, to speak strictly, the citizens of Hebron, here mentioned, Jos 10:3, were Hittites; thus the Gibeonites, who were Hivites, Jos 10:19, are called Amorites, 2Sa 21:2. It is reasonably supposed that the Amorites, being numerous and victorious beyond Jordan, did pour forth colonies or forces into the land of Canaan, and there subdued divers places, and so communicated their name to all the rest.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. the five kings of theAmoritesThe settlement of this powerful and warlike tribe laywithin the confines of Moab; but having also acquired extensivepossessions on the southwest of the Jordan, their name, as the rulingpower, seems to have been given to the region generally (2Sa21:2), although Hebron was inhabited by Hittites or Hivites (Jos11:19), and Jerusalem by Jebusites (Jos15:63).
Jos10:6-9. JOSHUA RESCUESIT.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore the five kings of the Amorites,…. For though they were chiefly Hittites that dwelt in Hebron, and Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; yet as the Amorites were the most powerful people in the land, and had dispersed themselves in the several parts of it, and seem to have the greatest authority in it, they were all called Amorites, and perhaps the kings of those cities were of them, and set over them by them; so we find that the Gibeonites, who were Hivites, are said to be of the remnant of the Amorite, 2Sa 21:2;
the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they, and all their hosts; that is, to Jerusalem, the place of their rendezvous, and from thence they marched:
and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it: by besieging it, and attacking it in some of its forts.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
These five kings marched against Gibeon and besieged the town. The king of Jerusalem headed the expedition, as his town was so near to Gibeon that he was the first to fear an attack from the Israelites.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
‘ Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Yarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped against Gibeon, and made war against it.’
The five kings of the five city states gathered their combined forces for the purpose either of bringing Gibeon back into the Canaanite fold, or of punishing them severely for their treachery against their neighbours. It was an alliance forced on them by circumstances, each recognising that it was not powerful enough to face up to Gibeon and Israel on its own.
“Five kings of the Amorites.” The term ‘Amorites’ was often used as a general name for the dwellers in the hill country (and sometimes for all of Canaan), although Jerusalem was in fact inhabited by Jebusites. These kings went with their fighting men and besieged Gibeon.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 5. Therefore the five kings, &c. Hebron belonged to the Hittites, Gen 23:1-3; Gen 25:9-10. Jerusalem to the Jebusites, chap. Jos 15:63 and the Gibeonites made a part of the Hivites, chap. Jos 9:7. But as the Amorites were the most powerful nation in the land of Canaan, Gen 15:16 they held in subjection one part of their neighbours, and had given them kings. Hence it is, that the Gibeonites are particularly called a remnant of the Amorites, 2Sa 21:2.
REFLECTIONS.Alarmed by the capture of Jericho and Ai, and more irritated with the surrender of Gibeon, Adoni-zedec, king of Jerusalem, (as it was afterwards called,) summons his neighbour kings to unite their forces against Gibeon; either to prevent so strong a city, and one so near him, from being occupied by his enemies, or to make an example of those who were accounted betrayers of their country. Note; They, who leave the ways of sin, must not expect to part from the world without persecution. Satan and his servants will prosecute those as deserters who inlist under the banners of Jesus.
Alarmed by their approaching danger, they fly to Joshua for help. Though mighty men, they know themselves unable to cope with these confederate armies, and therefore plead that league which, though fraudulently obtained, they were assured would be religiously observed. They are importunate, because the danger was imminent; and expect protection, not only for the oath’s sake, but in honour, as allies suffering for their attachment to Israel; and in interest, as servants, whose destruction would be Israel’s loss. Note; (1.) When our souls are sore thrust at by legions of corruptions within and temptations without, we must look up to Jesus, the glorious Captain of our salvation, whose hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear. (2.) If we are in fidelity cleaving to God as his servants, we may rest assured of his protection as our Almighty Lord.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
If we spiritualize the passage, it affords an interesting view of a distressed soul calling upon Jesus, because of the united force of all his spiritual adversaries. Psa 3:1-2 , to the end. Reader! how stands the case with your soul! Have you, like Gibeon, made your peace with Joshua, Jesus? And are his enemies, and your enemies in consequence of it, come out against you, to battle? These are what I call precious marks of Jesus’s love. And to such that promise is very sure. Mat 5:10 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 10:5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
Ver. 5. And encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. ] Opposition is evangelii genius, saith Calvin: and the Church is haeres crucis, the heir of the Cross, saith Luther. “All that will live godly shall suffer persecution.” 2Ti 3:12 But Christ, the true Joshua, will rescue and deliver them that call to him for help as these did.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 10:6, Jos 9:1, Jos 9:2, Gen 15:16, Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10
Reciprocal: Deu 20:1 – horses Jos 10:3 – king of Jerusalem Jos 10:23 – General Jos 10:31 – Lachish Jos 10:36 – Hebron 2Ch 11:9 – Lachish
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 10:5. The five kings of the Amorites This name is here taken generally for any of the Canaanites. But, strictly speaking, the citizens of Hebron were Hittites, those of Jerusalem, Jebusites, and the Gibeonites made a part of the Hivites. It is reasonably supposed that the Amorites, being numerous and victorious beyond Jordan, had poured forth colonies into the land of Canaan, subdued divers places, and so communicated their name to all the rest.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
10:5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made {b} war against it.
(b) So envious the wicked are, when any depart from their hand.