John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 9:3
And when the inhabitants of Gibeon ,.... A large and royal city, a metropolitan one, which had three others belonging to it, and under it, mentioned Joshua 9:17 ; see Joshua 10:2 ; no mention is made of any king over them, perhaps they were governed by elders, Joshua 9:11 . Though an Arabic writer F8 Patricides, p. 30. apud Hottinger. Smegm. Oriental. l. 1. c. 8. p. 507. says, the king of Gibeon wrote to Joshua, and desired security, and sent him large gifts, whom having... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 9:3-14
Here, I. The Gibeonites desire to make peace with Israel, being alarmed by the tidings they heard of the destruction of Jericho, Josh. 9:3. Other people heard those tidings, and were irritated thereby to make war upon Israel; but the Gibeonites heard them and were induced to make peace with them. Thus the discovery of the glory and grace of God in the gospel is to some a savour of life unto life, but to others a savour of death unto death, 2 Cor. 2:16. The same sun softens wax and hardens... read more