Adoni-zedek (or Adonizedec) was the Amorite king of Jerusalem at the time of Israel’s conquest of Canaan under Joshua. His name, which means “Lord of Righteousness” or “My Lord is Righteous,” stands in stark contrast to his actions, which were in direct opposition to the righteous decree of the God of Israel. Adoni-zedek is chiefly known as the central figure in the grand coalition of five Amorite kings who attempted to halt Israel’s advance and were decisively defeated by the miraculous intervention of the Lord.
The King of Jerusalem in Rebellion
Adoni-zedek’s fear was the catalyst for the largest organized resistance Joshua faced in the southern campaign. The stunning victories of the Israelites at Jericho and Ai, combined with the successful, though deceitful, peace treaty made by the powerful city of Gibeon, spurred Adoni-zedek into action.
The Scripture records his alarm:
“Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so had he done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.” (Joshua 10:1-2, KJV)
In response, Adoni-zedek formed a powerful alliance with four other Amorite kings: Hoham, King of Hebron; Piram, King of Jarmuth; Japhia, King of Lachish; and Debir, King of Eglon. Their first act of war was to attack Gibeon for making peace with Israel, treating the Gibeonites as traitors.
“Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.” (Joshua 10:3-4, KJV)
The Battle of Gibeon and the Miraculous Defeat
The besieged Gibeonites sent an urgent appeal to Joshua for rescue. In a testament to God’s faithfulness to His people, Joshua immediately marched to Gibeon, and the Lord assured him of victory:
“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.” (Joshua 10:8, KJV)
The resulting battle was a divine display of power. Not only did Israel’s army rout the coalition, but the Lord intervened directly:
“And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.” (Joshua 10:11, KJV)
It was on this day that Joshua famously commanded the sun and moon to stand still, that Israel might complete the victory the Lord had given them.
Capture and Execution
During the chaos of the battle, Adoni-zedek and his four allied kings fled and sought refuge by hiding in a cave at Makkedah. However, they were soon discovered and imprisoned:
“And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.” (Joshua 10:17, KJV)
After the final pursuit of the enemy forces, the kings were brought out. Joshua then used the subjugation of these five rulers to teach his own military commanders a powerful lesson in God-given dominion:
“And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.” (Joshua 10:24, KJV)
Finally, Adoni-zedek and his allies were killed by Joshua and their bodies hanged on trees until sunset, according to the Law, before being cast into the cave where they had tried to hide.
The Sealed Tablet Ancient Decree
The defeat of Adoni-zedek and his coalition marks an inviolable and sovereign decree concerning the Lord’s absolute authority over the land and its former rulers.
THUS DECREETH THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL:
BY THE HAND OF JOSHUA, MY SERVANT, THE POWER OF ADONI-ZEDEK, KING OF JERUSALEM, AND HIS ALLIED KINGS IS UTTERLY BROKEN.
AS THEIR NECKS WERE SUBDUED BENEATH THE FEET OF THE CAPTAINS, SO SHALL ALL THE ENEMIES OF MY PEOPLE BE SUBDUED.
THIS ACT IS A FORESHADOWING OF THE FINAL VICTORY OF THE SAINTS.
THE DOMINION BELONGS UNTO THE LORD.
JOSHUA 10:25:
"And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and courageous: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."