Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

with dismay. They took immediate steps for revenge on those who
had made peace with the invaders. Five of the Canaanite kings allied
themselves against Gibeon. The Gibeonites were unprepared for
defense and sent a message to Joshua at Gilgal: "Do not forsake
your servants; come up to us quickly, save us, and help us, for all
the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered
together against us." The danger threatened not only the people of
Gibeon, but also Israel. This city controlled the passes to central and
southern Palestine, and Israel must hold it in order to conquer the
country.
The overwhelmed Gibeonites were afraid that Joshua would
reject their request for help because of the way they had deceived
the Israelites. But since they had submitted to Israel and had
accepted the worship of God, he felt obligated to protect them. And
the Lord encouraged him. "Do not fear them," was the divine
message, "for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of
them shall stand before you." "So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he
and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor."
The allied princes had just positioned their armies around the
city when Joshua was upon them. The immense host fled from the
Hebrews up the mountain pass to Beth Horon, and from the top they
rushed down the steep descent on the other side, where a fierce
hailstorm burst upon them. "The Lord cast down large hailstones
from heaven. ... There were more who died from the hailstones than
the children of Israel killed with the sword."
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