Joshua Chapter 9
1 The kings heard about it in the hill country and the western foothills along the Mediterranean Sea up to Lebanon—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 2 They formed an alliance against Israel.
The Gibeonites Deceive Israel
3 But when the people in Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to trickery. They made fake preparations: worn-out sacks on their donkeys; worn-out, torn, and mended wineskins; 5 worn-out and patched sandals, and worn-out clothes. Their provisions were dry and moldy. 6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, and told him and Israel, “We’ve come from a distant country. Make a treaty with us.”
Josh 9:1-6
7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Maybe you’re living among us. How could we make a treaty with you?”
8 They said to Joshua, “We’re your servants.”
“Who are you? Where do you come from?”
9 “We’ve come a long way because of Yahveh your God. We’ve heard what all he did in Egypt, 10 and to the Amorite kings beyond the Jordan—Sihon and Og, who lived in Ashtaroth. 11 Our elders and the people in our country told us to take provisions for the journey, go meet you, and say, ‘We’re your servants. Make a treaty with us.’ 12 Our bread was still warm when we took it from our houses for the trip. Now it’s dry and moldy. 13 These wineskins were new when we filled them; now they’ve burst. These clothes and shoes are worn out from the trip.”
14 The men took some of their provisions and didn’t ask direction from Yahveh. 15 Joshua made peace with them and let them live. The leaders of the community swore to them.
Josh 9:7-15
16 Three days later, they found out they were neighbors. 17 Israel set out and reached their towns on the third day: Gibeon, Cherphirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But they didn’t kill them, because their leaders had sworn by Yahveh God of Israel. The community murmured against the leaders, 19 “We’ve sworn to them by Yahveh God of Israel. We can’t touch them. 20 We’ll let them live so wrath won’t come on us.” 21 They cut wood and drew water for the community—like the leaders told them.
22 Joshua sent for them and said,
“Why lie to us and say you were from a distant country when you were living among us? 23 Now you’re cursed. Some of you will always be slaves, cutting wood and drawing water for my God’s house.”
24 They answered Joshua,
“We heard that Yahveh your God had commanded Moses to give you the land and destroy its people. We were afraid we’d be killed 25 We’re at your mercy. Do to us what you think’s right.”
26 That’s what he did and rescued them from the people. 27 He made them cut wood and draw water for the community and Yahveh’s altar where he chose. They still do that.
Josh 9:16-27