Joshua 9:6

“And they went to Joshua, unto the camp at Gilgal, etc.] From whence it appears, that after Jericho and Ai were destroyed, the army of Israel returned to their encampment at Gilgal, (<060510>Joshua 5:10); and here they were when the Gibeonites applied to them: and said unto him, and to the men of Israel; not to the whole body of the people, but either to the seventy elders, the great council, who were with Joshua, or the princes of the congregation, after mentioned, who are said to swear to them; and so some render the words, “to the chief men of Israel” f145; the word “Ish” here used sometimes denotes an eminent person or persons, (see <230209>Isaiah 2:9); we be come from a far country; this…”

“they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal--Arrived at the Israelitish headquarters, the strangers obtained an interview with Joshua and the elders, to whom they opened their business.”

“Camp at Gilgal - While Joshua was engaged in more distant enterprises, the women, children, and property of the Israelites were left with a sufficient guard at this place, where they had been established immediately after crossing the Jordan Joshua 5:9. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The camp at Gilgal - The place of their head - quarters. Men of Israel - To those who used to meet in council with Joshua, to whom it belonged to make leagues, even the princes of the congregation. Now therefore - Because we are not of this people, whom, as we are informed, you are obliged utterly to destroy. Joshua 9:7”

“the camp: Jos 5:10, Jos 10:43 We be: Jos 9:9; Deu 20:11-15; Kg1 8:41; Kg2 20:14 make ye: Kirthoo lanoo berith, "cut or divide with us a covenant," or rather the covenant sacrifice offered on these occasions. (See note on Deu 29:12.) Joshua 9:7”

“Having made these preparations, they went to the Israelitish camp at Gilgal (Jiljilia), introduced themselves to the men of Israel (אישׁ, in a collective sense, the plural being but little used, and only occurring in Pro 8:4; Isa 53:3, and Psa 141:4) as having come from a distant land, and asked them to make a league with them. But the Israelites hesitated, and said to the Hivites, i.e., the Gibeonites who were Hivites, that they might perhaps be living in the midst of them (the Israelites), i.e., in the land of Canaan, which the Israelites already looked upon as their own; and if so, how could they make a league with them? This hesitation on their part was founded upon the express command…”