It happened, when Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
God's command for Joshua to hock the horses may also be classed as providential aid.  This rendered the horses and chariots useless either for offensive purposes, or for retreat and flight in case of defeat.  Thousands of the coalition troops were accustomed to "riding in chariots," and not to the infantry-like retreat which made them extremely vulnerable to Israel's hardened and skillful attackers.