What happensPermalink
A coalition of five kings attacks Gibeon for making a treaty with Israel. Joshua marches all night and defeats the coalition and executes the five kings. Israel conquers at least six cities in the south of Canaan, some of which belonged to those kings.
Why it mattersPermalink
Although the covenant with Gibeon was unwise, once made, Israel had to honor it. God blesses their campaign, including retributive attacks on the cities that attacked Gibeon.
Key versePermalink
So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded.