Verses 1-27
The League with the Gibeonites
Joshua 9 forms an introduction to the narrative of the Southern campaign (Joshua 10). The Gibeonite cities were important enough both politically and geographically (see on Joshua 9:17 and Joshua 10:2) for their defection to frighten the surrounding kinglets into concerted action against Israel.
1, 2. The petty kings combine against Israel.
3. Gibeon] 2 m. N. of Jerusalem. For its importance see on Joshua 10:2, Joshua 10:10.
14. Took of their victuals] thus accepting their specious story, and incidentally committing themselves, according to Eastern rule of hospitality, to at least a temporary friendship. Asked not counsel by Urim and Thununim] as e.g. we find them asking in Judges 1:1.
17. Now their cities were] All these four cities have been identified in the territory afterwards occupied by Benjamin and the N. border of Judah.
20. Lest wrath come upon us] Centuries later we are told (2 Samuel 21) that the Israelites of David’s time felt this ’wrath’ when Saul had broken his ancestral compact with Gibeon.
21. Hewers of wood, etc.] This is the description of the normal function of resident aliens in Deuteronomy 29:11. From Joshua 9:23, Joshua 9:27 we find that their tasks were mainly, though not entirely, concerned with the sacrificial worship of the House of God.
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