What happensPermalink
The Gibeonites, scared of Israel after the defeat of Jericho and Ai, trick Joshua into thinking they are from far away, so he makes a covenant with them without consulting the Lord. When he finds out, he curses them and sentences them to menial labor.
Why it mattersPermalink
God explicitly told Israel not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the Promised Land, but Joshua was fooled. However, like Rahab, the Gibeonites clearly understand God’s working, and their curse of menial labor is in fact for the tabernacle itself, a kind of blessing.
Key versePermalink
But Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place that he should choose.