What became of the villagers named, Hivites?
What happened for a hill city called, Gibeon?
The Hivites were named by the LORD as a
people living in a place flowing with milk and
honey. He promised to drive out these from
before the Children of Israel as part of the
Promised Land.
Exodus 3:17 KJV
"I will lead you to the land now occupied by
the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites,
Hivites, and Jebusites, a land flowing with
milk and honey."
The Hivites greatly feared the LORD and
believed all of the words spoken by the mouth
of the prophet Moses.
Deuteronomy 20:17 KJV
"But thou shalt utterly destroy them;
namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites,
the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the
Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD
thy God hath commanded thee."
The Hivites knew they would not have success
at defending themselves nor defeating the LORD
in battle. So, they resorted to deception and met
Joshua with the leaders of Israel as though they
were far away travellers. They represented as
a clan of honest Seekers of the LORD. They then
asked for a sworn promise of safety.
Joshua 11:19 KJV
There was not a city that made peace with
the children of Israel, save the Hivites the
inhabitants of Gibeon: all [other] they took
in battle.
When the Amorites heard about the deal that
was made, they sought to destroy the Hivites.
The Hivites cried out to Joshua for his protection.
It was in Gibeon that Joshua spoke to the
LORD commanding the Sun to stand still
on Gibeon when the LORD delivered up the
Amorites for destruction.
The city of Gibeon was probably destroyed but
then rebuilt when it was given by Joshua as
an inheritance to the Tribe of Benjamin.
Next, the rebuilt city of Gibeon was set aside
as one of the thirteen cities dedicated to support
the Tribe of Levi with its pasture lands. This is
how the city of Gibeon was mixed with Levites
within the allotment given to the tribe of Benjamin.
It was used by the Levitical branch in Gibeon as
a Safety City of Refuge.
In Joshua 21:17 we read: "And out of the tribe
of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba
with her suburbs, ... " A total of 13 cities were
provided out of Benjamin to become a place for
the Levites.
The story of redemption is told in the city of Gibeon.
The Hivites were saved as the LORD had mercy on
them to serve in peace as ministers of His tabernacle.
The miracles of the LORD to save us and redeem
us from destruction is His Way of finding a People
to fellowship and delight in worship and praise. Let
us apply the Gospel of Peace to our hearts and minds
as we yield ourselves to serve and follow Him daily.
