The Gibeonite Deception

The Gibeonite Deception

And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; Jos. 9:1

came to pass... Having a common enemy often unites people. This should surely be true of Christians who have the most deadly enemy of all—Satan. Here the various Canaanite kings, seeing they would be defeated individually, united to make one great effort against Israel (Jos. 9:1-2). The Septuagint adds "the Gergasites" to this list.

That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord. Jos. 9:2

Israel’s failure to consult the Lord was a major factor in her defeat at Ai and the prayerlessness of her leaders was about to precipitate another crisis.

It all came about when it was least expected. The people had just returned to camp at Gilgal after hearing the Law of God read to them at Mounts Ebal and Gerizim. Much of the Law was inscribed on stones as Israel affirmed her willingness to obey God’s Word. It was a time of spiritual victory; it was also a time for a subtle attack from Satan. When God’s people think they “have it made” they are most vulnerable to the enemy’s assault.

That they gathered... This story unfolds in the next two chapters of the Book of Joshua — the alliance with the Gibeonites (Jos. 9:1-27) and the defense of the Gibeonites (Jos. 10:1-43).

to fight with... Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai aroused the whole country to concerted action. These verses prepare the reader for the southern and northern campaigns of the Conquest, described in Jos. 10:1-43 and 11:1-23.

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, Jos. 9:3

And when the... Gibeon was a city about 7 miles from Bethel and 8 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Being about 10 miles from Ai and about 18 west of Gilgal, the inhabitants likely thought they would be next on Joshua’s list of places to conquer. Gibeon was the head of four towns, the others being Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim—all occupied by Hivites (Jos. 9:7, 9:17; 11:19), called Amorites (2Sa. 21:2), the word being a general term for the Canaanite nations. These four towns apparently had a republican form of government.

Gibeon was an important city. It lay at the head of the pass of Beth-horon, opposite the pass of Ai, and on the main route from Jerusalem and the lower Jordan valley to Joppa and the Mediterranean Sea. Gibeon fell within the lot of Benjamin (Jos. 18:25), and was one of the cities of the priests (Jos. 21:17). Several important events took place here: the slaughter of Gibeonites by Saul (2Sa. 21:1-22); the contest between Saul and David’s servants (2Sa. 2:12-24; 3:30); the slaying of Amasa (2Sa. 20:8-13); and the vision of Solomon (1Ki. 2:4-5; 9:2). It was at Gibeon that the sun was commanded to stand still (Jos. 10:12). The sanctuary was located here for a long time (1Ki. 3:4-5; 8:4; 9:2; 1Ch. 21:29; 2Ch. 1:3, 1:13). At Gibeon Joshua became victor over five kings of Canaan, giving him possession of the southern half of Israel (Jos. 10:1-43). In another great battle (of Merom) he gained victory over the northern part (Joshua 11-12), thus conquering most of Israel in two campaigns.

They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; Jos. 9:4

They did work... Six steps: outwitting Joshua and Israel:

1. Deception prepared (Jos. 9:3-5)

2. Deception proposed to Joshua (Jos. 9:6-8)

3. Deception carried out (Jos. 9:9-13)

4. Deception successful (Jos. 9:14-15)

5. Deception discovered (Jos. 9:16-17)

6. Deception punished (Jos. 9:20-27)

and rent... When bottles made of skins get old they are easily torn. Repairs were made a number of ways: by sewing the broken edges together, by inserting a piece of leather, by putting a round piece of wood in the hole, or by gathering up the torn piece like the opening of a bag. Mat. 9:17.

And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. Jos. 9:5

and clouted upon... Old Anglo-Saxon word for patched, or seamed up. Every detail of the deception made it appear they were from a far country and had traveled many days before arriving at Israel’s camp. Thus, they deceived Joshua and the Israelites who had not taken time or had not thought to ask God by the Urim and Thummim.

And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. Jos. 9:6

they went to... Joshua was back in camp again after the conquest of Ai, probably waiting on God for instructions for the next move in the conquest of Canaan.

We be come... Five lies of the Gibeonites:

1. We are from a far country (Jos. 9:6, 9:9).

2. We came because of the name of the Lord your God (Jos. 9:9).

3. We took our bread hot when we started and now it is dry and moldy.

4. Our wine bottles were new when we started and now they are old and torn (Jos. 9:13).

5. Our garments and shoes were new when we started and are now worn out.

from a far... Their city was only about eighteen miles from the camp of Israel.

make ye a... Israel had been expressly forbidden to make leagues with the inhabitants of Canaan (Exo. 23:32; 34:13-17; Num. 33:51-56; Deut. 7:1-2; 20:16).

And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? Jos. 9:7

Peradventure ye dwell...The question of being neighbors was raised, but they did not ask the Lord (Jos. 9:14), and God did not volunteer the information or interfere. He evidently wanted this to be a recorded lesson in His eternal Word for all generations to come, that He should be consulted in all human affairs, especially those that directly affect His plan for man.

how shall we... Questions 10-12. Next, Jos. 9:22.

And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? Jos. 9:8

they said unto... Joshua probed with questions and the wily Gibeonites told their tale. They insisted that they came from a great distance to show respect to the powerful God of the Israelites, to be allowed to live at peace as Israel’s servants.

And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, Jos. 9:9

we have heard... This was truth, for all that part of the world heard of the fame of God, His great name, what He did in Egypt, and what He did to Sihon and Og, and to Jericho and Ai (Jos. 9:9-10).

And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Jos. 9:10

all that he... The Gibeonites were wise not to mention the recent conquests of Jericho and Ai, because news did not travel quickly in those days; their silence thus made their claim seem genuine. They mentioned victories only down to the conquest of the east side of Jordan, which had been some months before.

did to the... Word had reached them of what God had done for the Israelites in Egypt (probably the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea) and of God’s victories over Sihon and Og, See Num. 21:21-35; Deut. 2:30-3:17.

Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. Jos. 9:11

Wherefore our elders... Three true statements by the Gibeonites:

1. We have heard of the fame of God, what He did in Egypt, and to the two kings east of Jordan (Jos. 9:9-10).

2. Our elders told us to come and say that we are your servants; therefore, make a league with us (Jos. 9:11).

3. We heard how God commanded Moses to destroy all the inhabitants of this land, so we were afraid for our lives (Jos. 9:24).

This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. Jos. 9:12, 13

This our bread... Pursuing this clever ruse they presented their credentials — moldy bread, patched wineskins, ragged clothes, and worn-out sandals — and the suspicion of Joshua and the leaders dissipated.

And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. Jos. 9:14

took of their... Six Mistakes of Joshua and Israel

1. They ate with the Gibeonites. According to ancient custom, eating together was a token of unalterable friendship, and those who ate salt together were bound to a perpetual covenant. So deeply rooted was this custom that intended robbery has been abandoned when a robber has accidently eaten salt while getting his plunder. Likewise, men have been freed from captivity by getting their captors to eat salt with them.

2. They did not ask for God’s counsel. Without consulting God by the Urim and Thummim, they believed these men and made a covenant with them. Though He did not punish them for making the covenant, He later punished Israel for breaking it (2Sa. 21:1-9). God expects people to keep their word, even when they vow to their own hurt (Psm. 15:4). He let Israel make this mistake without intervening, and He later used it to destroy His enemies (Jos. 11:18-20).

3. Joshua made peace with the Gibeonites (Jos. 9:15).

4. He made a league with them.

5. He let them live.

6. The princes of Israel swore to them, thus making the covenant binding on all Israel. Such contracting was forbidden by law (Exo. 23:32; 34:13-17; 33:1-23:51-56; Deut.7:1-2; 20:16).

And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. Jos. 9:15

Joshua made peace... If the visitors were true ambassadors with power to conclude a treaty with another nation they should have had more substantial credentials. It was foolish of Joshua not to demand them.

made a league... The second and primary reason for Israel’s failure is stated in Jos. 9:14 : the leaders did not seek direction from God. Did Joshua think the evidence to be so beyond question that they needed no advice from Yahweh? Did he think the matter too routine or unimportant to “bother” God with it? Whatever the cause it was a mistake to trust their own judgment and make their own plans. This holds true for believers in all ages (Jas. 4:13-15).

And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. Jos. 9:16

came to pass... The deception was discovered after three days, but nothing was said about it until Israel came to their cities, and then it caused murmuring (Jos. 9:17-19).

And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. Jos. 9:17

And the children... Chephirah and Beeroth are not mentioned except in Jos. 9:17; 18:26; 2Sa. 4:2; Ezr. 2:25; Neh. 7:29.

came unto their... Kirjath-jearim was given to Judah (Jos. 15:60; 18:14; Jdg. 18:12). It was an ancient high place and called Kirjath-Baal and Baalah (Jos. 15:9-10; 1Ch. 13:6), Kirjath (Jos. 18:28), Baale of Judah (2Sa. 6:2), and Kirjath-arim (Ezr. 2:25). It is also spoken of as belonging to Benjamin (Jos. 18:28).

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. Jos. 9:18

And all the... The princes were to blame for this great mistake, so the congregation had just grounds for criticism; but such should never be carried to the point of complaining, which leads to division, strife and other evils.

But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. Jos. 9:19

We have sworn... This answered for many acts in ancient times, when making vows and swearing by oaths were held sacred, and a man’s word was better than a written contract today. Since the princes had sworn, this bound the whole congregation to keep the covenant made with the Gibeonites.

This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them. Jos. 9:20

This we will... Though bound by the oath of their princes not to destroy the Gibeonites, Israel found a just way to punish them for lying and deception: The Gibeonites would become servants for the congregation and the house of God (Jos. 9:20-27).

And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them. Jos. 9:21

the princes said... Two main duties of Gibeonites:

1. Cut wood (Jos. 9:21, 9:23, 9:27)

2. Draw water

And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? Joshua therefore addressed the Gibeonites, rebuking them for their dishonesty, and announced that they were cursed to perpetual slavery. Jos. 9:22, 23

Wherefore have ye... Question 13. Next, Jos. 10:13.

and he spake... Joshua therefore addressed the Gibeonites, rebuking them for their dishonesty, and announced that they were cursed to perpetual slavery.

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. Jos. 9:24

So the very thing the Gibeonites hoped to attain they lost. They desperately wanted to remain free men; in the end they became slaves.

And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. Jos. 9:25

we are in... This was complete humiliation—proud, independent men surrendering all rights and privileges, submitting to their conquerors’ every whim.

And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. Jos. 9:26

and delivered them... This was the only plan that kept the Israelites from destroying the Gibeonites and taking their spoil (Jos. 9:18-19, 9:26). Whether the Israelites murmured merely because they were deprived of the spoils is not clear, but that could have been part of the trouble (Jos. 9:18). If they were influenced by such a covetous spirit, it was good to have such a disappointment.

And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose. Jos. 9:27

In order to keep the Gibeonites’ idolatry from defiling the religion of Israel their work would be carried out in connection with the tabernacle where they would be exposed to the worship of the one true God.

in the place... But the curse became a blessing. It was on behalf of the Gibeonites that God worked a great miracle (cf. Jos. 10:10-14). Later the tabernacle was pitched at Gibeon (2Ch. 1:3); still later some Gibeonites helped Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem’s wall (Neh. 3:7).