Albert Barnes Commentary Joshua 11:1

"And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor heard thereof, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph," — Joshua 11:1 (ASV)

Jabin - Probably the hereditary and official title of the kings of Hazor . The word means literally “he shall understand,” and is equivalent to “the wise” or “intelligent.”

Hazor - This name, which means “enclosed” or “fortified,” also belonged to two other towns in the south of Judah (compare Joshua 15:23, Joshua 15:25). The Hazor here in question, the head of the principalities of Northern Canaan (Joshua 11:10), overlooked the lake of Merom and was afterward assigned to the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:36).

It was undoubtedly one of the strongest fortresses in the north, both by nature and art. It is mentioned in Egyptian inscriptions of an early date. Its situation in the midst of a plain, though itself on a hill, rendered it especially suitable as a stronghold for people whose main reliance was on horses and chariots (Joshua 11:4; Judges 4:3).

Its position on the northern frontier led to its being fortified by Solomon (1 Kings 9:15). Its people were carried away captive, along with those of the other cities of Naphtali, by Tiglath-Pileser (2 Kings 15:29).

The “plain of Nasor,” where Jonathan gained a victory over the Syrians , is undoubtedly to be understood as “the plain of Asor” (that is, Hazor). Hazor is conjecturally identified with the modern Tell Kuraibeh.

Had heard those things - That is, the defeat of the southern Canaanites at Beth-horon and the conquest of their country.

The sites of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph are unknown.