Because of the promise that their leaders had made (verse 15), the Israelites were not allowed to kill the Gibeonites. This caused a general protest, which the leaders settled by reminding the people of their solemn promise. Even though the friendship treaty had been the result of a falsehood (on the part of the Gibeonites), nevertheless it could not be annulled; it had been made in the name of the LORD, Israel’s God.

To begin the verse But the Israelites could not kill them may sound somewhat strange to the reader, for it may leave the impression that there was some magical power protecting these people. A more sequential arrangement of the events may be advisable:

• But the leaders had made a solemn promise to the Gibeonites in the name of the LORD, Israel’s God. And so the people of Israel were not permitted to kill the Gibeonites. When they complained about this to the leaders, 19 the leaders answered …

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .