70 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

Grandfather. They were forbidden to make a league
with any of the nations of Canaan, and yet they made
a league with the Gibeonites. No doubt they did not
know at the time that they were people of Canaan, but
they would not have been deceived by them if they had
asked advice from God. Weare told that they “asked
not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.” This is sinful
conduct in those who worship the true God.

George. Were they long of finding out that they had
been deceived ?

Grandfather. Only three days. On the third day the
children of Israel arrived at the territory of Gibeon, and
saw the four cities inhabited by that people. The Israel-
ites were much displeased with their rulers because they
had made a league with the Gibeonites.

George. But, grandfather, they could not be expected
to keep their promise to the Gibeonites after being so
much deceived.

Grandfather. A promise is too sacred a thing, George,
to be lightly broken. Many would think that if they
had been deceived into making a promise, it could not
be binding on them after they had discovered the truth ;
but the conduct of the leaders of Israel shews that to be
false reasoning. They might have found excuse for
breaking their agreement if they had thought of doing
it; for before entering into the league they protested
that if the Gibeonites lived among them, they could
enter into no league with them; yet when the covenant
was once made, they considered it bindin g. We ought to