God grants the faithful victory, no matter how formidable the opposition.
In this verse we read, So all of these kings, having agreed to meet, came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel (v.5). While Joshua’s victories in southern Canaan preceded this event, a new coalition formed among the northern kings who united their armies to challenge Israel’s progress in taking possession of the Promised Land. Historically, Joshua operated as Israel’s leader from around 1406-1399 BC, succeeding Moses and continuing the divine directive to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan in fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. The location called “the waters of Merom” lies in the northern region of the land, near present-day Lake Huleh, providing a defensible gathering point for these allied kings.
The phrase came and encamped together emphasizes the great size and combined strength of this enemy force. Their numbers were bolstered by horses and chariots—key military assets in the ancient world—that gave them confidence in a decisive victory (Joshua 11:4-5). However, as other passages note, God would overpower this alliance just as He had in previous battles, reminding Israel that their victory depended not upon large armies or sophisticated weaponry, but upon the LORD Himself. At the waters of Merom, the LORD defeated the massive Canaanite coalition, demonstrating His sovereignty over every challenge Israel faced.
Through this victory, Joshua and the Israelites reaffirmed their trust in God’s power to fulfill His covenant with them (Joshua 11:6-9). Despite the imposing threat of multiple kings and well-equipped armies, the people of Israel experienced God’s faithful hand guiding them to triumph. This moment mirrors the many accounts throughout Scripture where God orchestrates blessings for His people as they remain obedient and reliant upon His provisions.
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Joshua 11:5 meaning
In this verse we read, So all of these kings, having agreed to meet, came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel (v.5). While Joshua’s victories in southern Canaan preceded this event, a new coalition formed among the northern kings who united their armies to challenge Israel’s progress in taking possession of the Promised Land. Historically, Joshua operated as Israel’s leader from around 1406-1399 BC, succeeding Moses and continuing the divine directive to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan in fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. The location called “the waters of Merom” lies in the northern region of the land, near present-day Lake Huleh, providing a defensible gathering point for these allied kings.
The phrase came and encamped together emphasizes the great size and combined strength of this enemy force. Their numbers were bolstered by horses and chariots—key military assets in the ancient world—that gave them confidence in a decisive victory (Joshua 11:4-5). However, as other passages note, God would overpower this alliance just as He had in previous battles, reminding Israel that their victory depended not upon large armies or sophisticated weaponry, but upon the LORD Himself. At the waters of Merom, the LORD defeated the massive Canaanite coalition, demonstrating His sovereignty over every challenge Israel faced.
Through this victory, Joshua and the Israelites reaffirmed their trust in God’s power to fulfill His covenant with them (Joshua 11:6-9). Despite the imposing threat of multiple kings and well-equipped armies, the people of Israel experienced God’s faithful hand guiding them to triumph. This moment mirrors the many accounts throughout Scripture where God orchestrates blessings for His people as they remain obedient and reliant upon His provisions.