ation to the Canaanites at all, but dwelt at a very
great distance from them: and they said further, that they came a long
way, on account of the reputation he had gained for his virtue; and as a
mark of the truth of what they said, they showed him the habit they were
in, for that their clothes were new when they came out, but were greatly
worn by the length of thee they had been on their journey; for indeed
they took torn garments, on purpose that they might make him believe so.
So they stood in the midst of the people, and said that they were sent
by the people of Gibeon, and of the circumjacent cities, which were
very remote from the land where they now were, to make such a league
of friendship with them, and this on such conditions as were customary
among their forefathers; for when they understood that, by the favor of
God, and his gift to them, they were to have the possession of the land
of Canaan bestowed upon them, they said that they were very glad to hear
it, and desired to be admitted into the number of their citizens. Thus
did these ambassadors speak; and showing them the marks of their long
journey, they entreated the Hebrews to make a league of friendship with
them. Accordingly Joshua, believing what they said, that they were not
of the nation of the Canaanites, entered into friendship with them; and
Eleazar the high priest, with the senate, sware to them that they would
esteem them their friends and associates, and would attempt nothing that
should be unfair against them, the multitude also assenting to the oaths
that were made to them. So these men, having obtained what they desired,
by deceiving the Israelites, went home: but when Joshua led his army to
the country at the bottom of the mountains of this part of Canaan, he
understood that the Gibeonites dwelt not far from Jerusalem, and
that they were of the stock of the Canaanites; so he sent for their
governors, and reproached them with the cheat they had put upon him; but
they alleged, on their own behalf, that they had no other way to save
themselves but that, and were therefore forced to have recourse to
it. So he called for Eleazar the high priest, and for the senate, who
thought it right to make them public servants, that they might not break
the oath they had made to them; and they ordained them to be so. And
this was the method by which these men found safety and security under
the calamity that was ready to overtake them.

17. But the king of J