1
When the kings beyond the Jordan, in the hill country, in the lowland, and along the whole coast of the Great Sea as far as the region of Lebanon—namely the kings of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites—
2
heard of it, they gathered together with one accord to fight against Joshua and Israel.
3
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
4
they acted with cunning: they went and prepared provisions, taking worn-out sacks for their donkeys and worn-out wineskins, torn and mended,
5
and worn-out, patched sandals for their feet, and worn-out garments for themselves; and all the bread of their provisions was dry and crumbly.
6
So they went to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal. They said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore make a covenant with us.”
7
But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; how then can we make a covenant with you?”
8
Then they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Joshua asked them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”
9
They answered him, “Your servants have come from a very far country because of the name of the LORD your God, for we have heard the report of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
10
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 lived in Ashtaroth.
11
So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions for the journey and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore make a covenant with us.”’
12
This bread of ours was still warm when we took it as provisions from our houses on the day we set out to come to you, but now, look, it is dry and crumbly.
13
These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are torn; and these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.”
14
Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the LORD’s decision.
15
So Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
16
But after three days had passed, after the Israelites had made a covenant with them, it was heard by them that those people lived near them, indeed, dwelt among them.
17
For the Israelites set out and on the third day came to the cities of those people; now the cities were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.
18
But the Israelites did not strike them down, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders.
19
But the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel; therefore we cannot touch them.
20
This is what we will do to them: let them live, so that wrath may not come upon us because of the oath that we swore to them.”
21
And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the leaders had determined concerning them.
22
Then Joshua called them and spoke to them, saying, “Why did you deceive us, saying, ‘We live very far from you,’ when you dwell among us?
23
Now therefore you are cursed, and you shall never cease to be servants, woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
24
They answered Joshua and said, “Because it was surely told to your servants that the LORD your God commanded Moses his servant to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, so we were very afraid for our lives because of you; that is why we did this.
25
And now, we are in your hand; do to us as seems good and right to you to do to us.”
26
So he did to them. He delivered them from the hand of the Israelites, and they were not killed.
27
And at that time Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, to this day, in the place that He would choose.
🎭📜🕊️ Summary of Joshua 9 – The Deceit of the Gibeonites
Joshua 9 tells how the Israelites were deceived by the Gibeonites, who pretended to come from a distant land so that they would not be destroyed. They succeeded in making a peace covenant with Israel, because Israel did not ask the LORD first. Though deceived, the covenant was honored because it had been spoken before the LORD.
📌 1. The Nations Unite Against Israel (verses 1–2)
- After hearing of the conquest of Jericho and Ai, the kings of Canaan began to unite to fight against Israel.
🎯 Spiritual enemies can unite when the light of the LORD begins to prevail — vigilance is needed.
📌 2. The Gibeonites Deceive Israel (verses 3–15)
- The Gibeonites disguised themselves as though they had come from a far country:
They wore worn-out clothes, carried moldy bread, and had torn wineskins.
- They said:
“We have come because of the name of the LORD your God…” (verse 9)
- Israel made a peace treaty, without asking for guidance from God (verse 14).
- They swore not to kill them.
🎯 Israel’s fatal mistake was not in showing mercy, but in not asking God.
📌 3. The Truth Is Revealed and Joshua’s Solution (verses 16–27)
- Three days later, Israel learned that Gibeon was actually their neighbor.
- Though angry, they still honored the oath.
- Joshua made the Gibeonites servants: woodcutters and water carriers for the house of the LORD.
- The Gibeonites said:
“We were afraid, because we knew the LORD your God had commanded you to take possession of this land.”
🎯 God can turn mistakes into lessons, and those who fear God still find a place.
📖 Main Lessons
- Always seek God’s will in every decision — even the ones that seem small.
- Appearances can deceive — spiritual wisdom is needed.
- Do not judge only by what is seen or by emotional pity.
- God values oaths and commitments, even when they are made in error.
- Outsiders who fear God can enter into His plan.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask it of God.”
“Let your yes be yes; let your no be no — anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
“…who keeps his oath even when it hurts.”
🎯 As believers, we are taught to live with sensitivity, wisdom, and integrity — not merely with emotional reactions.
“They did not ask for the LORD’s decision.” – Joshua 9:14
“We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel.” – Joshua 9:19
“You shall be servants, woodcutters and water carriers…” – Joshua 9:23
