Joshua 9:16-26

16 post dies autem tres initi foederis audierunt quod in vicino habitarent et inter eos futuri essent

17 moveruntque castra filii Israhel et venerunt in civitates eorum die tertio quarum haec vocabula sunt Gabaon et Caphira et Beroth et Cariathiarim

18 et non percusserunt eos eo quod iurassent eis principes multitudinis in nomine Domini Dei Israhel murmuravit itaque omne vulgus contra principes

19 qui responderunt eis iuravimus illis in nomine Domini Dei Israhel et idcirco non possumus eos contingere

20 sed hoc faciemus eis reserventur quidem ut vivant ne contra nos ira Domini concitetur si peieraverimus

21 sed sic vivant ut in usus universae multitudinis ligna caedant aquasque conportent quibus haec loquentibus

22 vocavit Gabaonitas Iosue et dixit eis cur nos decipere fraude voluistis ut diceretis procul valde habitamus a vobis cum in medio nostri sitis

23 itaque sub maledictione eritis et non deficiet de stirpe vestra ligna caedens aquasque conportans in domum Dei mei

24 qui responderunt nuntiatum est nobis servis tuis quae promisisset Dominus Deus tuus Mosi servo suo ut traderet vobis omnem terram et disperderet cunctos habitatores eius timuimus igitur valde et providimus animabus nostris vestro terrore conpulsi et hoc consilium inivimus

25 nunc autem in manu tua sumus quod tibi bonum et rectum videtur fac nobis

26 fecit ergo Iosue ut dixerat et liberavit eos de manibus filiorum Israhel ut non occiderentur

Joshua 9:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 9

This chapter gives an account of the combination of the several kings of Canaan against Israel, Jos 9:1,2; and of the craftiness of the Gibeonites, pretending they were ambassadors from a far country, and desired to enter into a league with Israel, which they obtained, Jos 9:3-15; but when it was discovered who they were, it occasioned a murmuring among the people, Jos 9:16-18; which the princes quelled by proposing to make them hewers of wood, and drawers of water, Jos 9:19-21; in order to which Joshua summoned them before him, and chided them for beguiling them; and after they had made their excuse, he ordered them to the service the princes proposed, and so peace in the congregation of Israel was preserved, Jos 9:21-27.