יהושע, פרק ט׳, פסוק כ׳

The leaders of the Israelites find themselves trapped in a complex dilemma after uncovering the deception of the Gibeonites. They must figure out how to handle the situation without violating the oath they have already sworn. Left with no alternative, the leaders are forced against their will to uphold their promise and let the deceivers live [מצודת דוד].

Their primary concern in honoring the agreement is the fear of provoking God's anger [שטיינזלץ]. Even though the oath was secured through fraud and mistake, breaking it and executing the Gibeonites would be a severe offense. It would amount to swearing falsely in God's name, ultimately desecrating His name before the surrounding nations [שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד].

To navigate this crisis, the leaders devise a solution that honors their sworn word while still aligning with their broader obligations. Because the original oath strictly guaranteed that the Gibeonites would be allowed to live, it did not grant them immunity from taxes or servitude. Consequently, the Israelites can fulfill their promise to spare their lives, thereby avoiding God's wrath, while simultaneously subjecting the Gibeonites to forced labor [מלבי״ם].