Now when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Adonisedec means, “Lord of justice,” as Melchisedec denotes “the king of justice;” perhaps Salem was originally styled Zedec. Masius.—This king had probably some control over the neighbouring cities. Menochius.—He was also in the greatest danger; and not daring to attack the Israelites, he resolves to fall upon the Gabaonites unawares, that other cities might be deterred from following their example.—Confederates. Hebrew “and were among them,” which may signify either that the Israelites were to dwell in the towns belonging to the Gabaonites, or that the latter should live along with them, as one and the same people, following the same religion, and bound together by the same interests.