Sunday Morning Bible Study 03/21/2010

The Gibeonite Deception

Joshua Chapter 9
I. Observation
A. Context
1. Who are the people in this passage? What do we know about them?
a. The Gibeonites: __________________________________________________________
b. Leaders of Israel: _________________________________________________________
c. Joshua: _________________________________________________________________
2. When does this passage take place? Is there anything significant about when this passage occurs?
a. This occurred after the victory at Ai and after worship at Mt. Ebal/Mt. Gerizim (Josh 8)
3. Where do the events of this passage take place? What do we know about these places?
a. Gilgal: area near the location of Jericho which served as a home-base for Israel during
this part of the conquest of Canaan.
b. Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, & Kiriath Jearim: collectively, the cities that made up the
“Gibeonites”(v. 17). Gibeon was about 6.5 mi. southwest of Ai (Ryrie Study Bible)
B. Summary of Events
1. All the kings west of the Jordan, except for that of Gibeon, joined forces against Israel (v. 1-2)
2. The Gibeonites dressed like travelers from a distant country and sought peace w/Israel (v. 3-6)
3. The Gibeonites lied to Joshua and Israel’s leaders; Israel believed them and made peace (v. 7-15)
4. Three days later, Israel realized they had been tricked and set out to confront Gibeon (v. 16- 18)
5. Israel didn’t attack b/c they made an oath of peace; Israel grumbled against its leaders (v. 18)
6. Israel’s leadership decided to make the Gibeonites their woodcutters & water carriers (v. 19-21)
7. Joshua confronted the Gibeonites and told them of their enslavement b/c of their deception, and
the Gibeonites from that day forward served Israel as woodcutters and water carriers (v. 22-27)
C. Observation Questions
1. Describe the ruse that the Gibeonites used to trick Israel. ________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What basis did Israel use in making the decision to agree to peace with the Gibeonites?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. How did this decision affect the relationship between the people of Israel and their leaders?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What was Israel’s decision regarding the Gibeonites? What was their punishment/curse?
______________________________________________________________________________

II. Interpretation
1. Based on God’s commands regarding Canaan, what should have been the fate of the Gibeonites?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What was Israel’s mistake/sin in the matter of the Gibeonites? Have they done this before?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What was the result of Israel’s sin? _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How might things have been different if Israel would have sought God’s wisdom in this matter?
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What principles or themes do we see illustrated in this passage?
______________________________________________________________________________

III. Application
1. Human logic doesn’t always lead us to truth. Israel was guarded and rightly skeptical when
approached by the Gibeonites and their story. However, v. 14 tells us the key to their mistake,
“[Israel]…did not inquire of the Lord.” We should seek God’s counsel in the decisions we make.
2. Deception may contain truth, twisted for its purposes. Gibeon appeared to fear and respect
God (v. 9), but they were only concerned with saving themselves. Be careful that you carefully
weigh what you hear, for Satan often uses just enough truth to gain our trust (see Gen 3)

Teacher: Johnny Hughes (living2serve@gmail.com) MYA 2.0 is a ministry of Metropolitan Baptist Church, OKC, OK (http://www.mbcokc.org)