Joshua 9:16-27 - Gibeon's Deception Discovered
16 But three days after they had made peace with them, they heard that they were neighbours unto them, and that they dwelt among them. 17 For the children of Israel took their journey and came unto their cities the third day: and their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kiriathjearim. 18 And the children of Israel slew them not, because the lords of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And therefore all the multitude murmured against the lords.
19 But all the lords said unto all the congregation, "We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel, and therefore we may not hurt them. 20 But this we will do to them and let them live: and so shall no wrath be upon us because of the oath which we sware unto them." 21 And the lords said unto them, "Let them live, that they may be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation," as the lords said unto them.
22 Then Joshua sent for them, and talked with them, and said, "Wherefore have ye beguiled us and yet ye dwell among us? 23 And now therefore cursed be you, and there shall not cease to be of you, bondmen and hewers of wood and drawers of water unto the house of my God."
24 And they answered Joshua and said, "It was told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabiters thereof out of your sight, and therefore we were exceeding sore afraid of our lives because of you. 25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand; as it seemeth good and right in thine eyes to do unto us, so do." 26 And he dealt as it is said with them, and rid them out of the hands of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. 27 And Joshua made them that same day hewers of wood and drawers of water unto the congregation and unto the altar of God unto this day, in the place which God should choose.