Joshua 9:16-27

But three days after the treaty had been made, the Israelites learned that they had been deceived. In fact, the Gibeonites were from the local area and lived nearby. So the Israelites set out at once, and on the third day, they came to their cities: Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. But the Israelites did not attack them because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them in the name of YAHWEH, the God of Israel. This caused Israel to grumble against their leaders, but the leaders told the assembly of Israel, “We cannot touch them, for we swore an oath to them in the name of YAHWEH, the God of Israel. We must let them live for fear that God’s anger will come upon us because of the oath we swore to them.” So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the community of Israel, as their leaders had decreed. Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and asked them, “Why did you deceive us? You told us that you lived very far from us, but we now know for a fact that you live right here near us. Therefore, we will spare your lives, but you will live under a curse, and you will be condemned to perpetual servitude. You will serve the house of my God by cutting wood and carrying water for us.” They answered Joshua, “We lied, sir, because we greatly feared for our lives. We know for certain all about Moses and how he served YAHWEH, your God. We know for certain that YAHWEH will honor his promise to Moses and give you all these lands as your own. And we know for certain that he commanded you to wipe out all the inhabitants living here and thus take possession of this land. Now we are at your mercy, so do with us what you consider right and proper.” So Joshua had mercy and saved them from being killed by the Israelites. That day, he made them woodcutters and water carriers to serve the community of Israel for the altar of YAHWEH at his divinely chosen place. And that is what they do to this day.