9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which a [were] on
this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in
all the coasts of the b great sea over against Lebanon,
the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite,
the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard [thereof];
(a) In respect to the plain of Moab.
(b) The main sea called the Mediterranean.
9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been
ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine
bottles, old, and rent, and c bound up;
(c) Because they were all worn.
9:7 And the men of Israel said unto the d Hivites,
Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a
league with you?
(d) For the Gibeonites and the Hivites were all one people.
9:9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants
are come because of e the name of the LORD thy God: for we
have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
(e) Even the idolaters for fear of death will pretend to
honour the true God, and receive his religion.
9:12 This our f bread we took hot [for] our provision out of
our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but
now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:
(f) The wicked lack no art, nor spare no lies to set forth
their policy, when they will deceive the servants of
God.
9:14 And the g men took of their victuals, and asked not
[counsel] at the mouth of the LORD.
(g) Some think that the Israelites are of their victuals,
and so made a league with them.
9:17 And the children of Israel h journeyed, and came unto
their cities on the third day. Now their cities [were]
Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
(h) From Gilgal.
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 l murmured
against the princes.
(l) Fearing lest for their sin the plague of God would have
come on them all.
9:20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest
wrath be upon us, because of the k oath which we sware
unto them.
(k) This does not establish rash oaths, but shows God's
mercy toward his, who would not punish them for their
sin.
9:23 Now therefore ye [are] cursed, and there shall none of you
be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers
of water for l the house of my God.
(l) For the use of the tabernacle and the temple when it
will be built.
9:26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the m
hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
(m) Who were minded to put them to death for fear of God's
wrath.
9:27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of
water for the congregation, and for the n altar of the
LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should
choose.
(n) That is, for the service of the temple, as in
(Jos 9:23).
