Joshua 9:18

18 The Israelites didn't destroy these other people, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath about them to the LORD God of Israel. The whole congregation complained about the leaders.

Joshua 9:18 In-Context

16 But three days after the treaty was made, the Israelites heard that these people were their neighbors and lived with them.
17 The Israelites broke camp. They came to the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim two days later.
18 The Israelites didn't destroy these other people, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath about them to the LORD God of Israel. The whole congregation complained about the leaders.
19 But all the leaders said to them, "We have sworn an oath about them to the LORD God of Israel, so we cannot touch them now.
20 We must let them live to avoid [the LORD's] anger because of the oath we swore."
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