Peace in Canaan: A More Nuanced Story

More Than One Story at a Time

When we talk about the Hebrew scriptures and the conquest of Canaan, it's important to recognize that multiple narratives are often unfolding at once. There is, of course, the dominant narrative of conquest—filled with grand, sometimes hyperbolic language about Israel's triumphs over her enemies. These stories served a purpose, rallying identity and memory in a particular direction.

But that’s not the whole story.

Woven through these texts is another thread, one that paints a far more complex, and sometimes even collaborative, picture of life in ancient Canaan. There are glimpses—small but significant—of peaceable interaction between Israel and her neighbors. And in some places, even partnership.

The Other Side of the Story

Take, for example, the stories surrounding the Philistines. These were not indigenous Canaanites but settlers from the northern Aegean, part of a broader migration during the Bronze Age. Israel’s conflicts with them are well documented, but so too are moments of solidarity with other local groups against this common threat.

In fact, the scriptures mention alliances that go largely unnoticed. In 1 Samuel, we find a passage that ends with a somewhat surprising phrase: "There was peace between Israel and the Amorites."

At first glance, this seems out of place. The entire section has been about skirmishes with the Philistines, so why conclude with peace between Israel and the Amorites?

Who Were the Amorites?

The term "Amorite" is itself a bit murky. It’s used in the Bible as a broad designation for the indigenous Canaanite peoples. These were Semitic groups with deep roots in the region—stretching back into the Sumerian dynasties. The Amorites, then, might be considered the original inhabitants of the land.

What’s notable is that the Hebrews are said to have fought not just for themselves, but for their neighbors—delivering the surrounding territories from Philistine control. That’s not just conquest; it’s coalition.

God Beyond Conquest

And this is where the theological depth begins to surface. God is not depicted here as a champion of aggression but as one who responds when people cry out for help. The initial acts of war may not carry divine endorsement. But when Israel calls out, God supports their plea—not to dominate, but to deliver. The result is peace. Not just for Israel, but for a whole swath of the region.

For at least a generation, different nations live together in relative stability. And in that, we see something of the divine heart—a desire not just for survival, but for peace.

The Thread to Follow

These early stories, foundational as they are, do not offer a single message. They ask us to look deeper. To see the complexity, the partnerships, the evolving relationships. They push us to read with nuance.

And if we read through the lens of Jesus, what we find is a God who always leans toward peace. Who is found not in the victory over others, but in the solidarity with them.

So may we learn to read these stories with curiosity. May we uncover the quieter truths beneath the louder ones. And may we, too, be agents of peace wherever we are planted.