And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
The swiftness of discovery, three days, made their shame all the sharper. They had fallen stupidly into error through sloth, not bothering to inquire what lay before their eyes. Yet God's fatherly kindness turned what should have ruined them into their good; the real question is whether an oath sworn to deceivers, even in ignorance, binds the nation at all.
AI summary
The princes joined Joshua in this treaty, treating them as partners in government, not underlings. An oath by the God of Israel sealed it, but the whole mischief lay in haste: they examined the bread by taste and sight alone, never reasoning whether stale provisions proved a distant home. Sense without understanding made fools of them.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 9:15-21
Joshua and the princes gave themselves no trouble to inquire; they made peace at once. Within three days they heard the truth, that these neighbors dwelt near them. Either deserters reached the camp, or Israelite scouts sent to reconnoiter the nearest country brought word.
AI summary