1. When the news reached all the kings on the west side of the Jordan – in the hill country, the lowlands, and all along the Mediterranean coast as far as Lebanon (including the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) –
2. they formed an alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel.
3. When the residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai,
4. they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched.
5. They had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet and dressed in worn-out clothes. All their bread was dry and hard.
6. They came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land. Make a treaty with us.”
7. The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us. So how can we make a treaty with you?”