Now when news of this reached all the kings west of the Jordan — those in the hill country , the foothills , and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward ... Lebanon ( the Hittites , Amorites , Canaanites , Perizzites , Hivites , and Jebusites )—
they came together ... ... to wage war against Joshua - ... and Israel.
But the people of Gibeon , having heard - what Joshua - had done to Jericho and Ai ,
acted deceptively ... ... ... and set out as envoys , carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins ... , cracked and mended.
They put worn , patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on (their bodies) , and their whole supply of bread was dry ... (and) moldy.
They went to Joshua - in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel , “ We have come ... from a distant land ; please make a treaty
But the men of Israel said to the Hivites , “ Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you ? ”
“ We are your servants , ” they said to Joshua -. Then Joshua - asked them , ... “ Who are you and where have you come from ? ”
“ Your servants have come from a very distant land , ” they replied ... , “ because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him - : all that He did in Egypt ,
and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan — Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan , who reigned in Ashtaroth.
So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us , - ‘ Take - provisions for your journey ; go to meet them and say to them : We ... are your servants. Please make a treaty
This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But take a look , it is now dry and moldy.
These wineskins ... were new when we filled them , but look , they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey. ”
Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions , - but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.
And Joshua - made a treaty of peace to let them live , and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath
- - Three days after - they had made the treaty [[Lexicon/H8001-8100#H8085|(the Israelites learned)] that they (were) - neighbors , living among them ....
So the Israelites ... set out and on the third day arrived ... at their cities — - Gibeon , Chephirah , Beeroth , vvv and Kiriath-jearim.
But the Israelites ... did not attack them , because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath by the LORD , the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.
All the leaders ... answered - - , “ We have sworn an oath by the LORD , the God of Israel , and now we cannot ... touch
This is how we will treat We will let them live , - so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath - we swore
They continued ... , “ Let them live , but let them be woodcutters ... and water carriers for the whole congregation. ” So the leaders kept their promise
Then Joshua - summoned and said - , “ Why did you deceive us ... by telling us you live far away ... us , when in fact you live among us ?
Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually ... serve as woodcutters ... and water carriers for the house of my God. ”
The Gibeonites answered - - , - ... “ Your servants - were told clearly that the LORD your God - had commanded His servant Moses to give - all the land and wipe out - all its inhabitants ... before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you , and that is why we have done - - this.
Now ... we are in your hands. Do whatever seems good and right (to you). ”
So Joshua - did this and delivered them from the hands vvv of the Israelites , and they did not kill (the Gibeonites).
On that day he made them woodcutters ... and water carriers , as they are to this day ... ... for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place - He would choose.