1 Now it came to pass, when Ado´ni–ze´dek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken A´i, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to A´i and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
2 that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than A´i, and all the men thereof were mighty.
3 Wherefore Ado´ni–ze´dek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhi´a king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
4 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.