Joe: So, tell us about Joshua 9.

Bible Expert: Sure. In this chapter, Joshua and the Israelites are confronted by the Gibeonites, who are trying to make a covenant with them. The Gibeonites present themselves as being from a distant land and ask to make a treaty with the Israelites.

Joe: But why would the Israelites agree to a treaty with a group they didn't even know? Jamie (Joe's sidekick): Hold on, I'm Googling it.

Bible Expert: Well, the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites into making a treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land. They even went so far as to make old clothes, sandals, and wineskins to make themselves look like they had come from a far away land.

Joe: Wow, so the Israelites were tricked into making a treaty with a group they didn't even know.

Bible Expert: Yes. And when the Israelites realized what had happened, they were angry. But Joshua kept his word and allowed the Gibeonites to remain in the land.

Joe: So Joshua kept his word even though he had been tricked. That's pretty honorable.

Bible Expert: Yes, it is. The Israelites then went on to defeat several other nearby nations in battle.

Joe: Wow, so the Israelites were pretty powerful.

Bible Expert: Yes, they were. In the end, the Israelites were victorious and the Gibeonites remained in the land as a reminder of the covenant Joshua had made with them.