יהושע, פרק ט׳, פסוק י״ז

The sudden realization of a grand deception turns a standard march into a tense military mobilization. Upon discovering that they have been tricked, the Israelites quickly gather their forces and advance straight into the heart of the Gibeonites' territory, arriving in just three days.

This advance is not a routine movement of the camp. It is a deliberate, proactive mission launched with a clear goal: to wipe out the Gibeonites. The Israelites operate under the legal understanding that any oath or covenant secured through fraud and false pretenses holds no binding power. Therefore, they believe they have the absolute right to attack, treating the situation as if no peace agreement had ever been made [אברבנאל].

As the Israelites reach their destination, the layout of the region becomes clear. The territory centers around Gibeon, the largest and most significant city in the area, which is surrounded by the smaller settlements of Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. However, the anticipated battle never takes place. Despite the Israelites arriving ready to strike, they meet an entirely peaceful front. The Gibeonites offer no armed resistance. Instead, they rely entirely on the treaty they had successfully manipulated the Israelites into signing, arguing that this agreement guarantees them absolute protection from harm [ביאור שטיינזלץ].