72 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

Grandfather. They were much alarmed, for Gibeon was
a place of importance, and the people of it were noted
for their bravery. The king of Jerusalem was called
Adonizedek, which means the lord of righteousness.
Perhaps he was descended from Melchisedek, king of —
righteousness, who was the king of Jerusalem in Abraham’s
time. Ifso, he was unlike his forefather in character.
He paid no respect to the sons of Abraham. He sent
to other four kings, the kings of Hebron, of Jarmuth, of
Lachish, and of Eglon, saying, “Come unto me, and
help me, that we may smite Gibeon, for it hath made
peace with Joshua, and with the children of Israel.” So
these five kings assembled their forces together, and
marched against Gibeon, thinking probably that the
people of that place would fall unassisted, for the Israel-
ites would not bring themselves into danger to succour
them. The Gibeonites thought differently. When they
saw this formidable army coming against them, they
sent to Joshua, saying, “ Slack not thy hand from thy
servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help
us, for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the
mountains are gathered together against us.” Regard-
ing Joshua as a type of Christ, this petition of the Gi-
beonites teaches us in every difficulty to look for help to
Him who alone is able to help us at all times. Joshua
and all his mighty men of valour prepared to march to
the defence of their allies. The Lord spoke to Joshua,
and these were the words he said, “ Fear them not, for
I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not