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Gibeon

Gibeon City

CityOld Testament
31.8500°N, 35.1833°E View on Map

About Gibeon

Gibeon was a Canaanite city whose inhabitants tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty. God made the sun stand still here during Joshua's battle. Solomon offered sacrifices at the great high place in Gibeon, where God appeared to him in a dream offering him anything he asked.

Events at Gibeon

The sun stands still
The sun stands still

Gibeon · JOS 10:13

See Gibeon on the map
JoshuaLinked to this placeJoshuaMade a covenant with Gibeon; defended it in battle

History of Gibeon

  1. Conquest~1405 BC

    Gibeonites deceive Joshua into making a peace treaty

    JOS 9:3-27

  2. Conquest~1405 BC

    Joshua defends Gibeon; sun stands still during battle

    JOS 10:1-14

  3. United Kingdom~1010 BC

    David's men fight Saul's men at the pool of Gibeon

    2SA 2:12-17

  4. United Kingdom~970 BC

    Solomon worships at Gibeon's high place; God grants him wisdom

    1KI 3:4-15

  5. United Kingdom~1000 BC

    David avenges the Gibeonites against Saul's house

    2SA 21:1-9

Notable Characters in Gibeon

Joshua
Joshua

Made a covenant with Gibeon; defended it in battle

Solomon
Solomon

Received wisdom from God at Gibeon's high place

David
David

His men fought at Gibeon; later avenged the Gibeonites

Locations Related to Gibeon

Jerusalem
Jerusalem

Gibeon was about 6 miles northwest of Jerusalem

View on Map
Bethel
Bethel

Both Gibeon and Bethel were centers of worship before the Temple

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Biblical Significance of Gibeon

Gibeon was a significant Canaanite city that became part of Israel through deception. Despite how the covenant was obtained, Joshua honored it - teaching that promises must be kept. Here the sun stood still during Joshua's longest battle. Later, Gibeon became an important worship site where the tabernacle was kept, and where Solomon received his famous wisdom. The city illustrates both the consequences of failing to seek God (Joshua's mistake) and God's faithfulness to answer those who do seek him (Solomon).

Frequently Asked Questions

Bible Bites

Where the Sun Stood Still

At Gibeon, Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still and the moon to stop, and they did - for about a whole day. The Bible says there has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to a human voice.

Joshua 10:12-13

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