Joshua 09
The Gibeonites Deceive Israel
9:1 When the news reached all the kings on the west side of the Jordan – in the hill country, the lowlands, and all along the Mediterranean coast as far as Lebanon (including the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) – 9:2 they formed an alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel.
All of the Canaanites attempted to join together to fight against Israel. However, Joshua had divided Canaan, meaning that there would be no unity. Instead, a divided northern and southern confederacy of Canaanites was formed.
9:3 When the residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai, 9:4 they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched.
The Gibeonites knew that Israel could not be defeated. They decided to trick Israel into a peace treaty.
9:5 They had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet and dressed in worn-out clothes. All their bread was dry and hard.
Evidently, the Gibeonites knew the provisions of the Mosaic Law. They knew that Israel could make peace with cities outside of the land of Canaan. Therefore, they dressed as if they were from a distant land outside of Canaan.
9:6 They came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land. Make a treaty with us.”
They asked for a peace treaty.
9:7 The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us. So how can we make a treaty with you?”
At first, Israel had some doubts. Evil men often attempt to take advantage of the righteous.
9:8 But they said to Joshua, “We are willing to be your subjects.” So Joshua said to them, “Who are you and where do you come from?”
Joshua questioned them to make sure they were legitimate.
9:9 They told him, “Your subjects have come from a very distant land because of the reputation of the Lord your God, for we have heard the news about all he did in Egypt
They lied to Joshua. They praised Jehovah with flattery. They did hear about the miracles of Egypt, which happened about forty years earlier.
9:10 and all he did to the two Amorite kings on the other side of the Jordan – King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan in Ashtaroth.
They also knew about the defeat of King Sihon and King Og. Both of these kings lived on the other side of the Jordan. They were offered a peace treaty, but they would not accept the conditions. Every one of their cities were defeated. All of their people were exterminated.
Notice that the Gibeonites did not mention the defeats of Jericho and Ai, They may not yet have heard about these victories.
9:11 Our leaders and all who live in our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey and go meet them. Tell them, “We are willing to be your subjects. Make a treaty with us.”’
The Gibeonites were offering to be servants of Israel.
9:12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it in our homes the day we started out to meet you, but now it is dry and hard.
The Gibeonites packed hard bread to deceive Israel.
9:13 These wineskins we filled were brand new, but look how they have ripped. Our clothes and sandals have worn out because it has been a very long journey.”
The Gibeonites packed old wineskins in order to deceive Israel. They also put on old clothes and sandals.
9:14 The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice.
The men checked out their provisions and were deceived. They should have asked God what to do. Again, they left God out of the equation. Joshua could have asked Jehovah directly. Also, the urim and thummin could have been consulted.
9:15 Joshua made a peace treaty with them and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community sealed it with an oath.
Joshua made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites. This placed Israel against the Word of God, as they were not to make any peace treaties with those inside the borders of Canaan.
9:16 Three days after they made the treaty with them, the Israelites found out they were from the local area and lived nearby.
Gibeon was only 25 miles from Gilgal. Three days later, Israel found out that they were deceived.
9:17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities – Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
Israel made a peace treaty with four different cities that were called to be exterminated.
9:18 The Israelites did not attack them because the leaders of the community had sworn an oath to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. The whole community criticized the leaders,
Israel was angry at their leaders for making such a foolish treaty.
9:19 but all the leaders told the whole community, “We swore an oath to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. So now we can’t hurt them!
The people still wanted to destroy the Gibeonites, but the leaders informed the community that the treaty was made in Jehovah’s name. It could not be violated.
9:20 We must let them live so we can escape the curse attached to the oath we swore to them.”
If Israel betrayed the covenant, then the חֵ֫רֶם (herem) curse would fall upon Israel.
9:21 The leaders then added, “Let them live.” So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had decided.
The Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelite community.
9:22 Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said to them, “Why did you trick us by saying, ‘We live far away from you,’ when you really live nearby?
Joshua asked the Gibeonites why they had lied.
9:23 Now you are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
They were to be woodcutters and water carriers for the future tabernacle and temple.
9:24 They said to Joshua, “It was carefully reported to your subjects how the Lord your God commanded Moses his servant to assign you the whole land and to destroy all who live in the land from before you. Because of you we were terrified we would lose our lives, so we did this thing.
The Gibeonites were terrified of Jehovah. They knew that He would accomplish what He promised. They saw their lie as their only chance of survival.
9:25 So now we are in your power. Do to us what you think is good and appropriate.
The Gibeonites accepted their servitude position.
9:26 Joshua did as they said; he kept the Israelites from killing them
Joshua did not allow the army to execute them.
9:27 and that day made them woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the Lord at the divinely chosen site. (They continue in that capacity to this very day.)
God later turned the curse into a blessing. Through the Gibeonites, God worked a great miracle (10:10-14). Later, the tabernacle was pitched at Gibeon. Even later, the Gibeonites helped Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.