Joshua 11:5

Were met together. The Hebrew implies that the kings were “met together at an appointed time and place.” The place selected for meeting was, no doubt, territory suitable for chariots to maneuver, because these vehicles could not be used in mountainous terrain. The vast concourse must have given the Canaanite confederacy a measure of confidence in victory. But numbers and equipment are of no avail against a force that has the God of heaven on its side, a fact on which Jonathan later commented to his armorbearer (1 Sam. 14:6).

Waters of Merom. Although many regard this as Lake Huleh, others think that the terrain there is too swampy for chariots and horses. For that reason they take the expression to refer to the Wadi Meiron southwest of Hazor. The LXX has Moron, which lends support to this view. News of this great gathering at the waters of Merom soon reached Joshua at Gilgal. It is uncertain whether the Canaanites intended to attack the Hebrews. Inasmuch as their force consisted so largely of chariots and horses, it is unlikely that they would attempt to move it from the plains where alone it could be of service. More likely, they expected to draw the Israelites to a territory they themselves had selected, where they might have the advantage. Joshua, a skillful commander, determined to take the enemy by surprise, as he had done at Gibeon. The distance from Gilgal to Merom is about 70 (112.7 km.) Josephus says that the march took five days, which may well be true, since an army with supplies moves slowly.