Joshua 9

When all the Kings of Canaan heard of Josua's exploits ,they held counsell together , and concluded with one accordto fight against Israel , verse 1, & c. The Gibeonites feigning that they were come from farre remote Countreyes , are served alive by means of a certain deceitfull covenant which they make wit the Israelites, 3. three dayes after their craft is discovered , 16. The agreement nevertheless remaineth firm by reason of the oath , 18. But for a punishment of their deceit , they are made bond-men unto the Israelites , 21.

1. And it came to pass , when all the Kings that were on this side of Jordan , [viz. in the land of Canaan , wherinto the Israelites at that time were come , as also the Writer or Pen-man of this Book] on the hills , and in the low grounds , etc in all havens [oth. shores , roads , sands ,] of the great sea , [i.e. the mid-land sea] over against Libanon : the Hethites , and the Amorites , the canaanites , the Pheresites , the Hevites , and the Jebusites , [the Girgasites are not here added , probably because they were of mean account] heard this ;

2. That they gathered themselves together to fight against Josua , and against Israel with one accord . [Hebr. with one mouth ; i.e. combining with one accord together]

3. When the inhabitants at Gibeon [This was a great City ; Jos.10.2. situate in the inheritance of the Tribe of Benjamin , and it was at this time the Metropolis or chief Citie of the Hevites , Jos.11.19. In which respect the Gibeonites did likewise appertain to those Nations , which the Lord had commanded to destroy , and with whom they might in no wise make a Covenant without Gods speciall approbation , Exodus 23:32. Deut.7.2. It was afterwards given to the Priests for a place of habitation Jos,21.17.] heard what Josua had done with Jericho , and with Ai :

4. Then did they also deal craftily , [viz. as Balak and others had done before : or , as the other Canaanitish Kings sought to defend themselves by force of armes , so these endeavoured to save themselves by craft] and went their way , and feigned themselves to be Ambassadours , and they took old sacks upon their Asses , and old and rent , and bound up ( or patched ) [viz. where they were rent] lethern wine sacks (or bottles. )

5. Also old, and spotted [Oth. mended] shoes , on their feet , and they had old garments upon ( them ) ; and all the bread which they had on their journey [Hebr. all the bread of their journey - provision] was drie (and ) mouldie ; [Heb. properly speckled, spotted]

6. And they went to Josua into the Camp at Gilgal ; [See Jos.5.9.] and they said unto him , and to the men of Israel [Heb. to the man of Israel ; i.e. to every one among the Israelites . Oth. to the Princes , or chiefest men of Israel ; so also below , v.7. And 14.] we are come from a far Countrey , therefore now make a Covenant with us .

7. Then the men of Israel said unto the Hevites , [i.e. Gibeonites , see below chap.11, v.19.] peradventure ye dwell in the midst of us , [in this land which is given us of God] how shall we then make a Covenant with you ?[this was expresly forbidden to the Israelites Exodus , 23.32. and Deuteronomy 7:2.]

8. They then said unto Josua , We are thy servants : [i.e. we subject our selves unto thy dominion and command , and are willing to receive such terms and conditions as thou shalt please to afford us , yea, though it were to make us thy slaves and bond-men,] then Josua said unto them , who are ye , and whence come ye ?

9. And they said unto him , thy servants [i.e. we] are come from a very far Countrey, because of the Name of the LORD thy God : [i.e. having heard of the glory of the God of Israel , and of the great and mightie works which he hath done] for we have heard his fame , and all that he did in Egypt .

10. And all that he did to the two Kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side of Jordan , Sihon the king of Hesbon , and Og the king of Basan ,which (dwelt) at Astoroth.

11. Therefore our Eldest , and all the inhabitants of our Countrey spake to us , saying , Take victual with you in your handsfor the journey , and go to meet them , and say unto them , we are thy servants ; therefore now make a Covenant with us .

12. This is our bread we took warm for our provision out of our houses , on the day we set out to travel unto you ; but behold , now it is drie , and it is mouldie . [as verse 5.]

13. And these lethern Wine-sacks which we filled , were new, but behold , they are rent , and these our garments , and our shoes are become old , by reason of our long journey .

14. Then the men [i.e. Princes of the israelites , as v.15.] took of their victual ; [oth. they accepted , or entertained the men, because of their victual , judging by their mouldie victuals that they were come from a farre Countrey ,] and they inquired not [viz. by the high Priest wearing the Ephod , see Numbers 27:21. See also 1 Sam.23.9.] at the mouth of the LORD . [i.e. of the Lord who had promised to answer from the expiation cover , Exodus 25:22.]

15. And Josua made peace with them , and he made a league with them , that he would save them alive : and the Princes of the congregation sware unto them . [i.e. they ratified by oath that which josua had promised them, viz. that they should remain alive .]

16. And it came to passe at the end of three dayes , after they had made the league with them , that they heard they were their neighbours , and that they dwelt in the midst of them .

17. For when the children of Israel marched onward they came unto their cities on the third day , now their cities were Gibeon , and Chophira , [Chophira was a city in the heritage of the tribe of Benjamin . See Jos.18.26.] and Beeroth , [this city lay also in the tribe of Benjamin , Jos.18.25.] and Kiriath-Jarim.

18. And the children of israel smote them not, because the Princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD , the God of Israel : therefore all the congregation murmured against the Princes . [viz. because they might not destroy the Gibeonites , as wel as the other nations of the Canaanites .]

19. Then all the Princes said unto all the congregation , We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel ; therefore we might not touch them . [viz. in hostile manner ; i.e. we may not kill them , nor suppresse them.]

20. This we will do to them , [viz. which is mentioned , v.21.] to save them alive ; that there may be no great wrath upon us , [i.e. that the LORD be not incensed against us for such perjury as this , & bring a plague upon us afterwards , as came upon Saul, 2 sam. 21.1.] because of the oath which we sware unto them [viz. if we should break the same .]

21. Furthermore the Princes said unto them , [viz. unto the children of Israel] Let them live , and let them be hewers of wood , and drawers of water [these were the meanest and contemptiblest among the people , Deut.29.11.] unto all the congregation , as the Princes [i.e. as we] have said unto them [viz. to the Gibeonites .]

22. And Josua called them , and spake unto them , saying : Wherefore have ye deceived us , Saying : We are seated very far from you whereas ye dwell in the midst of us ?

23. Now therefore be ye accursed , [Understand by this curse, a temporall poor and miserable condition , as is declared in the sequel ,] and among you shall not be cut off there [i.e. shall not cease , but there shall alwayes remain slaves in your generaion & among your posterity] neither hewers of wood , nor drawers of water for the house of my God . [i.e. in the Tabernacle , and afterward in the Temple , yea, for the service of the whole congregation . v.21.]

24. then they answered Josua and said , because it was made known to thy servants , [relating it was related .] that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moseh , that he would give you this land , and destroy all the inhabitants of the land before your face : we were sore afraid of our lifes [Heb. our soules ; i.e. lives , persons See Genesis 12:5.] before your faces , therefore have we done this thing .

25. And now, behold , we are in thine hand : [i.e. in thy power , and might , thou mayest impose upon us , and ours , such a service and burthen as thou pleasest] as it is good , and as it is right in thine eyes to do unto us , do .

26. And so he did unto them , and he delivered them from the hand of the children of Israel , that they slew them not.

27. So Josua delivered them over [Hence it is thought that they were called Nethinims ; i.e. given , delivered over] the same day to (be) hewers of wood, and drawers of water of the congregation , and that for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day , at the place , which he should chuse .