Joshua 9:17
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 Kirjath-jearim. 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 Kirjath-jearim.
On the third day after making the league, Israel journeyed to and arrived at the Gibeonites' cities. The verse names their four cities as Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. Of them Gibeon was the most important, a large city like a royal city whose men were mighty. Terror of Israel had driven its people to a humiliating deception to save their lives. The arrival exposed that those who had claimed to come from a distant country were in fact neighbors living among Israel.
The Gibeonites were a numerous people living in the midst of Canaan. Knowledge of God's mighty workings that went before Israel had taught them that the God of the Hebrews alone is the true God. They renounced their heathenism, united with Israel, and shared in the blessings of the covenant. Their acceptance proves God's mercy toward idolaters who acknowledge His divine authority and shows that Rahab's conversion was not an isolated case.