Gibeon
A place in the Bible
A city north of Jerusalem. In the time of King Solomon it had the most important shrine.
What happened here
- Joshua: in the battle of Gibeon, Joshua spoke to the Lord in the presence of Israel and asked the sun to stand still over Gibeon.
- Solomon’s dream: Solomon went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices. There the Lord appeared to him in a dream at night and told him to ask for whatever he wanted.
- What he asked for: Solomon asked for a listening heart, to know how to judge rightly and to tell good from evil.
Today
It is identified with Al-Jib, in the West Bank.
Where it appears in the Bible
Joshua 10:12; 1 Kings 3:4-5; 1 Kings 3:9
What the Bible says
Joshua 10:12
Then Josue spoke to the Lord, in the day that he delivered the Amorrhite in the sight of the children of Israel, and he said before them: Move not, O sun, toward Gabaon, nor thou, O moon, toward the valley of Ajalon.
1 Kings 3:4-5
4He went therefore to Gabaon, to sacrifice there: for that was the great high place: a thousand victims for holocausts did Solomon offer upon that altar in Gabaon. 5And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying: Ask what thou wilt that I should give thee.
1 Kings 3:9
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people which is so numerous?
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), “Gibeon”