The Gibeonites were a group of people who inhabited the city of Gibeon, located in the region of Canaan. They are most notably recognized for their interaction with the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. The account of the Gibeonites is primarily found in the Book of Joshua, chapters 9 and 10.

Deception and Treaty with Israel

As the Israelites advanced into Canaan, the Gibeonites, aware of the fate that had befallen other Canaanite cities, resorted to deception to secure their survival. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land, wearing worn-out clothes and carrying moldy bread, and approached Joshua and the leaders of Israel at Gilgal. They sought to make a covenant of peace with Israel, claiming they were from a far-off country. The Israelites, without seeking counsel from the LORD, were deceived by their appearance and account. Consequently, Joshua made a peace treaty with them, swearing an oath to let them live (Joshua 9:3-15).

Discovery and Consequences

Three days after the treaty was made, the Israelites discovered that the Gibeonites were actually their neighbors, living within the land of Canaan. Despite the deception, the leaders of Israel upheld the oath they had sworn by the LORD, recognizing the binding nature of their promise. The congregation of Israel grumbled against the leaders, but the leaders insisted, "We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them" (Joshua 9:19). As a result, the Gibeonites were spared from destruction but were assigned to be woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and the altar of the LORD (Joshua 9:20-27).

Divine Intervention and Protection

The Gibeonites' treaty with Israel soon led to a significant military conflict. When the surrounding Amorite kings learned of Gibeon's treaty with Israel, they formed a coalition to attack Gibeon. The Gibeonites called upon Joshua for help, and he responded by leading the Israelite army to their defense. The LORD assured Joshua of victory, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you" (Joshua 10:8). The LORD intervened miraculously, sending hailstones and causing the sun to stand still, ensuring a decisive victory for Israel (Joshua 10:9-14).

Later References and Legacy

The Gibeonites are mentioned later in the biblical narrative during the reign of King Saul and King David. Saul violated the treaty by attempting to annihilate the Gibeonites, which brought a famine upon Israel as divine retribution (2 Samuel 21:1-2). To atone for this breach, David sought to make amends with the Gibeonites, who requested the execution of seven of Saul's descendants. David complied, and after the execution, God heeded the prayers for the land (2 Samuel 21:3-14).

The Gibeonites' account serves as a testament to the seriousness with which oaths and covenants were regarded in ancient Israel, especially those made in the name of the LORD. Despite their initial deception, the Gibeonites were integrated into Israelite society, and their survival was ensured by the binding nature of the oath sworn by Joshua and the leaders of Israel.Joshua 9:18,19
And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Book 4 Footnotes
... given why king Agag was not to be spared, viz. ... to Joshua himself, in the case of
the Gibeonites, who put ... Moses blessed every one of the tribes of Israel, it is ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... on Israel. By the Cherethims here, and the Cherethites in Zoph. ii.5, the Cretans
are by some thought to be meant, which would account for their association ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... Joshua, and the judges and kings of Israel, saviours"'Thou ... saved them out of the
hand of their enemies' (Nehemiah 9 ... And upon this account it is that he is so ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

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