Joshua 9

While the kings of Canaan unite to fight Israel, the people of Gibeon choose trickery and pose as travelers from a far country. Israel is fooled because the leaders do not ask the LORD, and they swear a treaty. The oath is kept, and the Gibeonites become servants at the sanctuary.

Joshua 9:1-2

News of Jericho and Ai spreads, and the kings of the hills, foothills and coast form one alliance against Israel. Fear drives them together. Peoples who normally fought one another now unite against the people of God.

BSA: came together (“assembled with one purpose”): The kings set aside their rivalries and act as one against Israel.

See also: Psalm 2:1-2.

Joshua 9:3-5

The Gibeonites also heard what happened at Jericho and Ai, but they choose a different response. They do not fight; they use cunning. Old sacks, patched wineskins, worn sandals and moldy bread are all staged to look like a long journey.

BSA: acted deceptively (“with craftiness, cunningly”): Their plan was a calculated act of cleverness, built on props and a false story.

Joshua 9:6-7

The Gibeonites come to Israel’s camp at Gilgal and ask for a treaty, claiming to be from far away. The Israelites are suspicious and point out that they might live nearby. God had forbidden treaties with the peoples of Canaan, so the question matters.

See also: Deuteronomy 7:1-2; Exodus 23:32.

Joshua 9:8-10

Pressed by Joshua, the Gibeonites call themselves servants and give a religious reason for coming: the LORD’s fame. They mention Egypt and the defeat of Sihon and Og, but carefully say nothing about Jericho and Ai, which would have shown they lived close by.

BSA: fame (“reputation, renown”): God’s name and deeds had traveled far, and even Israel’s enemies knew what He had done.

See also: Numbers 21:21-35.

Joshua 9:11-13

The Gibeonites repeat their story, claiming their elders sent them. They point to the dry bread, cracked wineskins and worn clothes as proof. The evidence looks convincing, but it is staged. Convincing appearances can still be false.

BSA: servants (“slaves, bondmen”): They offer to submit to Israel, which is what they hope will keep them alive.

Joshua 9:14

This is the turning point. Israel’s men inspect the bread with their own senses but do not ask the LORD. Careful looking is not a substitute for prayerful seeking. Joshua’s decisions elsewhere in the book stand out because he usually asks God.

BSA: counsel (“guidance, advice”): Israel had access to God’s direct guidance and simply did not use it.

Hebrew: פִּי (pi, H6310) — “mouth.” The Hebrew literally says they did not ask ’the mouth of the LORD.’ It points to hearing from God Himself, not relying on their own judgment.

See also: Proverbs 3:5-6; Numbers 27:21.

Joshua 9:15

Joshua makes a treaty of peace and lets the Gibeonites live, and the leaders confirm it with an oath. A hasty decision is now sealed with a solemn promise made in God’s name.

BSA: treaty (“covenant, agreement”): This is the same word used for serious covenants, so the agreement carried real weight before God.

Joshua 9:16-17

Three days later the truth comes out: these people are neighbors. Israel travels to their four cities, which lay only a short distance away. Deception that seems perfect is eventually uncovered.

See also: Numbers 32:23.

Joshua 9:18-21

The people grumble, but the leaders hold firm. They had sworn by the LORD, the God of Israel, so breaking the oath would bring wrath on them. They spare the Gibeonites but make them woodcutters and water carriers. Even a mistaken promise made in God’s name is taken seriously.

BSA: grumbled (“murmured, complained”): The same word describes Israel’s complaints in the wilderness, showing how readily the people blamed their leaders.

See also: Psalm 15:4; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5.

Joshua 9:22-23

Joshua confronts the Gibeonites about their lie. He declares them under a curse, bound to serve permanently at the house of God. Their deceit carries a cost, though the sentence also keeps them alive and brings them near the sanctuary.

BSA: curse (“to be execrated”): It names a lasting penalty on them for the deception.

Joshua 9:24-25

The Gibeonites admit their motive: fear for their lives. They knew God had commanded Israel to take the land. They place themselves entirely in Joshua’s hands. Their confession shows that they believed what the LORD had said, more than many who ignored it.

BSA: fear (“were exceedingly afraid”): Their dread of God’s purposes drove them to act, even if their method was wrong.

See also: Deuteronomy 20:16-17.

Joshua 9:26-27

Joshua keeps the oath and protects the Gibeonites from the angry Israelites. They become woodcutters and water carriers for the altar and the congregation. Though they got in by deceit, they ended up serving at God’s own house. Later, Israel’s faithfulness to this oath is remembered in Scripture.

BSA: delivered (“rescued, saved”): Joshua stood between the Gibeonites and the Israelites who wanted them dead.

See also: 2 Samuel 21:1-2.