Joshua 9:18
But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is that the congregation's "murmuring" wasn't just about being tricked; it was also fueled by greed for spoils and a desire to disregard the solemn oath sworn in God's name. The leaders’ commitment to their oath, even after being deceived, highlights a crucial integrity that the people, blinded by their own desires, failed to grasp.
After discovering they'd been tricked by the Gibeonites, the Israelites found themselves bound by an oath sworn in God's name. Though they realized the Gibeonites lived nearby and weren't foreign travelers as claimed, the leaders upheld the promise, preventing any attack. This decision sparked grumbling throughout the congregation, who were likely disappointed about missing out on spoils and possibly angered by the perceived breach of divine command.
Imagine making a promise that you later discover was based on a lie. Do you keep it? The Israelites faced this dilemma.
The leaders of Israel, despite discovering the Gibeonites had deceived them, felt bound by their oath. This wasn't just about politics; it was about the sacred name of God.
Honoring God's Name
The people were furious! They felt cheated out of spoils and saw their leaders as weak. Sound familiar?
The immediate reaction of the Israelite congregation was discontent and grumbling against their leaders. This reveals a common human tendency and a specific problem within Israel at this time.
Reasons for Murmuring
Understand the original words
edah · Hebrew Noun
The entire body of God’s people gathered together, representing the covenant community of Israel. It denotes the people as a unified entity under the governance and law of the LORD.
shava · Hebrew Verb
To take a formal vow or make a binding promise, often invoking the name of God as a witness or guarantor. Breaking such an oath was considered a serious violation of both human trust and divine law.
This incident highlights a critical moment where a hasty decision by Israel's leaders, a sworn oath, and the subsequent popular discontent reveal the tension between strategic wisdom and covenant faithfulness in the early days of conquering Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
After their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites, led by Joshua, crossed the Jordan River and began conquering the land of Canaan according to God's command.
c. 1400 BC
The Conquest of Canaan Begins
Initial military campaigns focused on key cities like Jericho and Ai, setting the stage for further expansion and encountering various Canaanite nations.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Gibeonite Deception
The Gibeonites, hearing of Israel's military successes, devised a clever ruse, using old clothes and provisions to appear as emissaries from a distant land, seeking a peace treaty.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Leaders Make a Pact
Joshua and the Israelite princes, without consulting God, agreed to a treaty with the Gibeonites, swearing an oath to spare their lives and cities.
This passage shows God's command to 'utterly destroy' the Amalekites, highlighting the conflict between God's commands and human actions, similar to how the Israelites' oath to the Gibeonites clashed with the mandate to clear the land of Canaanites.
2 Samuel 21:1-2This passage directly refers back to the oath made by Joshua, demonstrating the long-term consequences and the seriousness with which God viewed the broken promise, even generations later when Saul had massacred some Gibeonites.
Proverbs 12:22This proverb states that 'lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,' underscoring the sinfulness of the Gibeonites' deception and the Israelites' subsequent frustration, which stemmed from that initial deceit.
Psalm 15:4This psalm describes one who 'swears to his own hurt and does not change,' which is the very principle Joshua and the princes adhered to, choosing to honor their oath even when it was disadvantageous.
calvinJoshua 9:16-27: "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."
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.
Profectique sunt filii Israel, et venerunt ad urbes ipsorum die tertio. Urbes autem eorum erant Gibeon, Chephirat, Beeroth, Ciriatjearlm.
And…
cambridgeJoshua 9:18: "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."
18 . had sworn unto them ] The remembrance of the league was kept up through the whole course of the subsequent history. A terrible trial befell the nation because Saul had massacred certain of the Gibeonites ( 2 Samuel 21:1-2 ; 1 Samuel 22:18-19 ), and David remained faithful to the vow which Josh…
What's easy to miss here is that the congregation's "murmuring" wasn't just about being tricked; it was also fueled by greed for spoils and a desire to disregard the solemn oath sworn in God's name. The leaders’ commitment to their oath, even after being deceived, highlights a crucial integrity that the people, blinded by their own desires, failed to grasp.
After discovering they'd been tricked by the Gibeonites, the Israelites found themselves bound by an oath sworn in God's name. Though they realized the Gibeonites lived nearby and weren't foreign travelers as claimed, the leaders upheld the promise, preventing any attack. This decision sparked grumbling throughout the congregation, who were likely disappointed about missing out on spoils and possibly angered by the perceived breach of divine command.
After discovering they'd been tricked by the Gibeonites, the Israelites found themselves bound by an oath sworn in God's name. Though they realized the Gibeonites lived nearby and weren't foreign travelers as claimed, the leaders upheld the promise, preventing any attack. This decision sparked grumbling throughout the congregation, who were likely disappointed about missing out on spoils and possibly angered by the perceived breach of divine command.
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c. 1400 BC
The Deception Revealed
Three days later, the Israelites discovered the Gibeonites lived nearby, exposing the fraud and leading to anger within the Israelite community.
c. 1400 BC
The Oath is Upheld
Despite the deception and popular outcry, Joshua and the princes honored their oath sworn by the LORD, refusing to attack the Gibeonites.
c. 1400 BC
Gibeonites Become Servants
As a consequence of their deceit and the binding oath, the Gibeonites were spared but condemned to be perpetual servants, hewing wood and drawing water for Israel.
"But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders." — What's easy to miss here is that the congregation's "murmuring" wasn't just about being tricked; it was also fueled by greed for spoils and a desire to disregard the solemn oath sworn in God's name.…
