And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
The inhabitants of Gibeon had heard what had been done at Jericho and to Ai, even the wonders God had wrought for Israel there. News of what God had done through Israel and what Joshua had done had reached them. They knew it was impossible to successfully resist the Hebrews. To preserve their lives they resorted to stratagem, sending ambassadors who pretended to have come from a distant country beyond Palestine to ask for peace and a league with Israel.
This hearing begins the account of the treaty with Israel, which proved to be an unwise agreement because counsel of God was neglected and not asked. That hearing led onward to a further outcome, for the Gibeonites renounced their heathenism, joined Israel, and shared in the blessings of the covenant.
The inhabitants of Gibeon had heard what had been done at Jericho and to Ai, even the wonders God had wrought for Israel there. News of what God had done through Israel and what Joshua had done had reached them. They knew it was impossible to successfully resist the Hebrews. To preserve their lives they resorted to stratagem, sending ambassadors who pretended to have come from a distant country beyond Palestine to ask for peace and a league with Israel.
This hearing begins the account of the treaty with Israel, which proved to be an unwise agreement because counsel of God was neglected and not asked. That hearing led onward to a further outcome, for the Gibeonites renounced their heathenism, joined Israel, and shared in the blessings of the covenant.