Joshua 9:16-21

16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them.

17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim.

18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders,

19 but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now.

20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.”

21 They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

Joshua 9:16-21 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.

Cross References

• 1. ver 22
• 2. Joshua 18:25; 2 Samuel 4:2; 2 Samuel 23:37
• 3. Joshua 15:9,60; Joshua 18:14,15; Judges 18:12; 1 Samuel 6:21; 1 Samuel 7:2; Psalms 132:6; Jeremiah 26:20; 1 Samuel 7:1-2
• 4. ver 15; Jdg 21:1,7,18; 1 Samuel 20:17; Psalms 15:4
• 5. S Exodus 15:24
• 6. S Genesis 24:8
• 7. S ver 15
• 8. S Deuteronomy 29:11