16-17 A couple of days later, the Israelites found out that these people actually lived in the nearby towns of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-Jearim. So the Israelites left the place where they had camped and arrived at the four towns two days later.
18 But they did not attack the towns, because the Israelite leaders had sworn in the name of the Lord that they would let these people live.The Israelites complained about their leaders' decision not to attack,
19-21 but the leaders reminded them, “We promised these people in the name of the Lord God of Israel that we would let them live, so we must not harm them. If we break our promise, God will punish us. We'll let them live, but we'll make them cut wood and carry water for our people.”
22 Joshua told some of his soldiers, “I want to meet with the Gibeonite leaders. Bring them here.”When the Gibeonites came, Joshua said, “You live close to us. Why did you lie by claiming you lived far away?
23 Now you are under a curse, and your people will have to send workers to cut wood and carry water for the place of worship.”
24 The Gibeonites answered, “The Lord your God told his servant Moses that you were to kill everyone who lives here and take their land for yourselves. We were afraid you would kill us, and so we tricked you into making a peace treaty. But we agreed to be your servants,
25 and you are strong enough to do anything to us that you want. We just ask you to do what seems right.”