The Gibeonites deceive Israel, and the oath must stand

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. 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. 9:5 They had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet and dressed in worn-out clothes. All their bread was dry and hard. 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.” 9:7 The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us. So how can we make a treaty with you?” 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?” 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 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. 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.”’ 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. 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.” 9:14 The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice. 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. 9:16 Three days after they made the treaty with them, the Israelites found out they were from the local area and lived nearby. 9:17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities – Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. 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, 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! 9:20 We must let them live so we can escape the curse attached to the oath we swore to them.” 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. 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? 9:23 Now you are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” 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. 9:25 So now we are in your power. Do to us what you think is good and appropriate. 9:26 Joshua did as they said; he kept the Israelites from killing 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.)

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Israel is deceived by the Gibeonites into making a peace treaty, and because the oath was sworn in the name of the LORD, it must stand. The chapter shows the danger of trusting appearances and the serious consequence of failing to seek the LORD’s counsel.

Joshua 9 tells how the Gibeonites tricked Israel by pretending to come from far away. Israel looked at their worn-out food and clothing, but they did not ask the LORD what to do. Joshua and the leaders then made a peace treaty and swore an oath in God’s name. When the lie was discovered, the oath still had to be kept. So the Gibeonites were spared from death, but they were assigned to humble service for the community and for the house of the LORD. The chapter warns that God’s people must not rely on appearances and must take vows before God seriously.

• The Gibeonites deceived Israel by pretending to be from a distant land.
• Israel examined the evidence but failed to ask the LORD for guidance.
• Joshua and the leaders made a treaty and swore an oath in the name of the LORD.
• An oath sworn in God’s name could not be treated casually or broken just because it was inconvenient.
• When the deception was uncovered, Israel kept the oath and spared the Gibeonites.
• The Gibeonites were assigned to woodcutting and water carrying as a lasting service.
• The passage warns against deceit, presumption, and neglecting the LORD’s counsel.

• Seek the LORD’s counsel before making important decisions.
• Do not trust appearances alone.
• Do not use deception.
• Take vows and promises before God seriously.
• Keep an oath made in the name of the LORD.
• The Gibeonites' servitude is a consequence of the event, not an endorsement of their deceit.

This passage is part of Israel’s conquest under the covenant God made with them. The LORD directs history even when Israel’s leaders act unwisely, and he ensures that the oath they swore in his name is honored. The story shows both God’s control and the seriousness of covenant faithfulness.

When you have to make an important decision, ask God for wisdom instead of relying only on what seems true. Also, keep your promises carefully, especially promises made before God. This passage warns against careless choices and shows that God’s people must act with honesty and reverence.

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