GIBEON, GIBEONITES
Gibeon was the chief city; so called from Gabah, an hill. The Gibeonites form a very interesting subject in the Scripture history, and lead to an enquiry not less interesting. They were descendants, it is probable, from the Hivites; that is, of the nations of Canaan whom the Lord would drive out before Israel. And yet we find the fear of God was upon them, so as to act wisely to get interest with Israel. (See their history, Joshua 9:3 throughout.) And we find in their farther history, (2 Samuel 21:1-6) that the Lord took part with them when Saul would have destroyed them, and even sent a judgment upon Israel on their account. Were the Gibeonites in those instances a type of the salvation of the Gentile church, brought in by sovereign grace into the privileges of Christ Jesus? Was this nation set apart in those early ages of the church, by way of shewing Christ's interest in his people, in being "a light to lighten the Gentiles, as well as the glory of his people Israel?" I do not decide upon the subject; I only ask the interesting question. (See Isaiah 49:6)