The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Don't slack your hand from your servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill-country are gathered together against us.
It must have been a shocking discovery indeed when the attacking coalition were totally surprised by Joshua's swift, lightning-like, response to their threat against Gibeon.  This was one of the most decisive battles of the conquest of Canaan.