📖 Joshua — Chapter 9 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when Rall the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
Joshua 9:2 That they Rgathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one Taccord.
Joshua 9:3 And when the inhabitants of RGibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
Joshua 9:4 They did Rwork 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 bound up;
Joshua 9:5 And Rold shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
Joshua 9:6 And they went to Joshua unto Rthe camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
Joshua 9:7 And the men of Israel said unto the RHivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
Joshua 9:8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
Joshua 9:9 And they said unto him, RFrom a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
Joshua 9:10 And all that he did to the Rtwo kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.
Joshua 9:11 Wherefore Rour elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals Twith you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
Joshua 9:12 This Rour 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:
Joshua 9:13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
Joshua 9:14 And Tthe men took of their victuals, and Rasked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
Joshua 9:15 And Joshua Rmade peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
Joshua 9:16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, Rthat they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
Joshua 9:17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were RGibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
Joshua 9:18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation Rhad sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
Joshua 9:19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, RWe have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
Joshua 9:20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, Rlest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
Joshua 9:21 And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.
Joshua 9:22 And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, RWherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
Joshua 9:23 Now therefore ye are Rcursed, and there shall Tnone of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
Joshua 9:24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that Rthe LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Joshua 9:25 And now, behold, Rwe are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.
Joshua 9:26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
Joshua 9:27 And Joshua Tmade them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 9:1–15 — Gibeon's deception
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Gibeonites disguise themselves as distant travelers. Israel makes a covenant after inspecting their provisions but without asking counsel from the LORD.
Key Truth: Apparent evidence does not replace seeking the LORD's direction.
Check What You Remember
1. What people used the disguise of distant travelers? (Joshua 9:3–4)
Find it in Joshua 9:3–4 (KJV).
2. What condition was their bread in? (Joshua 9:5)
Find it in Joshua 9:5 (KJV).
3. Whose counsel did Israel fail to ask? (Joshua 9:14)
Find it in Joshua 9:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 9:16–21 — The deception discovered
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Israel discovers that the covenant partners live nearby. The leaders refuse to break their oath, and the Gibeonites are assigned work rather than killed.
Key Truth: The leaders recognize the weight of an oath made in the LORD's name.
Check What You Remember
1. After how many days was the deception discovered? (Joshua 9:16)
Find it in Joshua 9:16 (KJV).
2. In whose name had the leaders sworn? (Joshua 9:18)
Find it in Joshua 9:18 (KJV).
3. What two tasks were assigned to the Gibeonites? (Joshua 9:21)
Find it in Joshua 9:21 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 9:22–27 — Joshua's settlement
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Joshua confronts the Gibeonites, who explain their fear of Israel's conquest. He preserves their lives and assigns service for the congregation and altar.
Key Truth: The account distinguishes the deception from the binding oath Israel had made.
Check What You Remember
1. Who confronted the Gibeonites about their deception? (Joshua 9:22)
Find it in Joshua 9:22 (KJV).
2. What two tasks did their service involve? (Joshua 9:23)
Find it in Joshua 9:23 (KJV).
3. For what sacred structure did their service provide, alongside the congregation? (Joshua 9:27)
Find it in Joshua 9:27 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 3:5 — Consider the contrast between trusting the LORD and relying on one's own understanding.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which truth from this chapter do you want to remember? What question or related Scripture would you like to explore next? You can keep these thoughts in your private Notes below.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What failure accompanies Israel’s acceptance of the travellers’ provisions?
2. How do the travellers’ appearance and story work together?
3. Why do the princes refuse to smite the Gibeonites after discovering the deception?
4. What explanation do the Gibeonites give for their deception?
5. How does their survival relate to their assigned service?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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