Word of Israel's victories spread quickly across the land. The kings west of the Jordan—those in the hills, valleys, and along the Great Sea—heard of Jericho and Ai's fall. Fear united them, and they joined forces, preparing for war against Joshua and Israel.
But in the city of Gibeon, the people decided on a different path. They had heard what God had done through Joshua and knew resistance would mean destruction. So, they formed a clever plan. Men of Gibeon dressed in old, torn clothes and worn-out sandals. They loaded their donkeys with cracked wineskins and dry, moldy bread to appear as if they had come from a distant country.
When they arrived at Israel's camp in Gilgal, they bowed before Joshua and said, "We have come from a faraway land. Make a treaty with us."
The Israelites were cautious. "Perhaps you live near us," they said. "How can we make a treaty with you?"
But the Gibeonites replied humbly, "We are your servants. We have heard of the fame of the Lord your God—how He delivered Israel from Egypt and defeated mighty kings across the Jordan. Our elders sent us, saying, 'Go and make peace with them.' Look at our bread—it was fresh when we left, but now it is dry and moldy. Our wineskins were new, but now they are cracked. Our clothes are worn from the long journey."
Joshua and the leaders examined their provisions and believed their story. Without asking the Lord for direction, Joshua made a treaty of peace with them and confirmed it by an oath.
Three days later, the truth was uncovered. The Israelites discovered that the Gibeonites lived nearby—in Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. The people were angry, but the leaders refused to break their oath to God. "We have sworn by the Lord," they said. "We cannot harm them."
Instead, they declared, "Let them live, but they will serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the community."
Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, "Why did you deceive us by claiming to be from afar?" The Gibeonites replied, "We heard how the Lord your God commanded Moses to give you this land and destroy all its inhabitants. We feared for our lives—that is why we acted."
Joshua looked upon them with firm mercy. "You will live," he said, "but you shall always serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God."
And so, the Gibeonites were spared and became servants for the Lord's altar—a living reminder that decisions made without seeking God's counsel can lead to lasting consequences.