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GIBEON
A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Gibeon is one of the most ancient Canaanite cites in Israel. In the Bible it is referred to as one of the 4 Hivite cities (Joshua 9:7,17). Located 6 miles north of Jerusalem, it is also referred to as “...a great city, as one of the royal cities...greater than Ai, and all the men were good fighters.” (Joshua 10:2). Although the Gibeonites were condemned by Joshua to perpetual bondage (Joshua 9), Joshua nevertheless made an alliance with the city (Joshua 9:17-18). The King of Jerusalem and his allies were defeated by Joshua at Gibeon and it was on this occasion that the sun stood still (Joshua 10:12-13).
Throughout Old Testament history, the city was apparently known for its elaborate water system. Johanan, son of Kareah, fought Ishmael, son of Nethaniah “by the great waters of Gibeon” (Jeremiah 41:12). Earlier in Biblical history, it was at this city that the men of Joab and the men of Abner fought each other near “the pool of Gibeon...” (II Samuel 2:13). There was also a high place setup by King Solomon at Gibeon where sacrifices and prayers for wisdom were offered ( I Kings 3:4ff). After the return from the Babylonian Exile, the residents of Gibeon took part in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:7).
Apparently after the Restoration under Nehemiah’s leadership, the city remains occupied throughout the Roman period. It was at this time when the Romans made a new water reservoir. Some of the wine cisterns of the Old Testament period were used as tombs, or in the Byzantine period for storing water.
B. BIBLICAL REFERENCES:
1. Joshua 9:3 The people of Gibeon hear how great Joshua and the Israelites are. So they make a treaty/alliance with them.
2. Joshua 10:1-41 Gibeon is one of the 4 Hivite cities and is even “greater than Ai...”
3. II Samuel 2:12-28 As David is anointed as King of Judah, Abner goes to Gibeon after he crowns Ishbosheth, son of Saul, as King over Gilead, Ashuri, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and al Israel. Joab, David’s military commander, confronts Abner at the pool of Gibeon, “...with one group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side...” After the other servants of David kill Abner’s servants, Joab chases Abner, with Abner escaping though the Wilderness of Judah and crossing the Jordan.
4. II Samuel 20:8 Joab secretly spears Amasa with a sword hidden under his clothes. While they embrace, Amasa is killed. This happened at the great stone of Gibeon.
5. I Kings 3:4-14 King Solomon sacrifices here and offers prayers for wisdom.
6. I Chronicles 14:16 David attacks and defeats the Philistines from “Gibeon to Gezer” (no doubt down the Beth Horon ridge route).
7. Jeremiah 41:12 Ishmael carries away all the people of Mizpah to Ammon. As he goes, he passes by “the great waters of Gibeon.”
C. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS OF INTEREST:
1. EARLY/MIDDLE BRONZE: Only traces of settlement have been discovered.
2. IRON AGE: The main discoveries have been wall fortifications (11/10th and 8th century, B.C.), and a most impressive water system, consisting of a large pool (see picture on preceding page), and two water tunnels.
The rock-cut pool is 37feet in diameter and 82 feet deep. A spiral stairway of 79 steps, also cut out of the rock, leads down to the bottom. This pool, which most date as being part of the water system of the 11th century B.C., was probably used either for storing rain water or to provide a better access to the water-table. The two tunnels lie a short distance from the pool, providing safe access to the water during war times. he difference in heights between the entrance of this tunnel and the spring itself is 60 feet. Thus, 93 steps were hewn in the tunnel to provide a safe approach to the pool. The length of the second tunnel is 150 feet.
Also, wine cisterns, a few houses, and large amount of epigraphic material that confirm the identification of the site have been found.
Also, numerous jar handles stamped with a seal of Gibeon led to the discovery of the 11 wine cisterns. The capacity of some of the wine cisterns was up to 5,000 wine jars. The total storage capacity of all the wine cisterns was about 25,000 gallons.