Jabin

Jabin, king of Hazor, formed an alliance with other Canaanite kings to fight against Joshua and the Israelites.

Jabin, king of Hazor, is mentioned in Jos 11:1 as the leader of a Canaanite coalition that fought against Joshua and the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan. When Jabin heard of Israel's victories over Jericho and Ai, he formed an alliance with the kings of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, along with other kings from the northern hill country and the Arabah.

This coalition gathered a large army, described as being "as numerous as the sand on the seashore," with many horses and chariots (Jos 11:4). They assembled at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

However, the Lord assured Joshua of victory, promising to deliver the enemy into his hands (Jos 11:6). Joshua led the Israelites in a surprise attack, defeating the Canaanite coalition and pursuing them until no survivors remained (Jos 11:7-8). The Israelites also captured and destroyed the city of Hazor, which had been the head of all these kingdoms (Jos 11:10).

Jabin's story illustrates the opposition faced by the Israelites as they sought to take possession of the Promised Land. It also demonstrates God's faithfulness in giving His people victory over their enemies when they trusted in Him and obeyed His commands.

A king of Hazor, at the time of the entrance of Israel into Canaan (Josh. 11:1-14), whose overthrow and that of the northern chief with whom he had entered into a confederacy against Joshua was the crowning act in the conquest of the land (11:21-23; comp. 14:6-15). This great battle, fought at Lake Merom, was the last of Joshua’s battles of which we have any record. Here for the first time the Israelites encountered the iron chariots and horses of the Canaanites.