Bible Meaning: Hill city, hilly
Strong's Concordance #H1391
The city of Gibeon, aware of Israelite victories in the Promised Land, tricks Joshua and the people into a peace agreement (Joshua 9). When the city is attacked by a confederation of several kings (10:1 - 5) they are grudgingly defended by Israel.
It is during the battle to defend Gibeon that one of the most unique Old Testament miracles takes place. God answers Joshua's request to have more time to defeat their enemies by stopping (slowing?) the sun and moon in the sky (Joshua 10:12 - 15)!
After King Saul's death the commander of David's army (Joab) and the commander of Saul's forces (Abner) each have twelve of their men fight to the death at the pool of Gibeon (2Samuel 2).
The great answered prayer
Solomon, shortly after becoming king, travels to Gibeon and makes 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord. One night, while in the city, God appears to him in a dream and offers to give him anything he desires! The king's request of wisdom, needed for properly governing the people, greatly pleases the Eternal. Solomon is granted not only wisdom but also fabulous wealth and honor!
"Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart: so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
"And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days" (1Kings 3:12 - 13).
Important Verses
Joshua 10:1, 12
Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it: as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king: and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them . . .
Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon: and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
2Samuel 2:13 - 14
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
1Kings 3:3 - 5
And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there: for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.