Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions
The Israelites, led by Joshua, encountered the Gibeonites who deceptively presented themselves as travelers from a distant land. The act of sampling their provisions indicates a reliance on their own judgment and senses. This reflects a common human tendency to trust in physical evidence rather than seeking divine guidance. The provisions, which appeared old and worn, were part of the Gibeonites' ruse to secure a treaty. This moment highlights the importance of discernment and the potential for deception when relying solely on human perception.

but did not seek the counsel of the LORD
This phrase underscores a critical error made by the Israelites. Throughout the Old Testament, seeking God's counsel was a fundamental practice for Israel, especially in decision-making. The failure to consult God here contrasts with previous instances where divine guidance led to success, such as the crossing of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho. This oversight serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting prayer and divine consultation. It also foreshadows the consequences of their decision, as the Israelites later discovered the true identity of the Gibeonites, leading to complications and obligations they had not anticipated. This incident emphasizes the necessity of seeking God's wisdom in all matters, a principle echoed in Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises trust in the Lord over one's own understanding.

1. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

2. The Israelites
The people of God, who are in the process of conquering the land of Canaan as God commanded.

3. The Gibeonites
A group of people from Canaan who deceived the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land.

4. Gibeon
A significant city in Canaan, whose inhabitants sought to make a treaty with Israel to avoid destruction.

5. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.The Importance of Seeking God's Counsel
The Israelites' failure to seek God's guidance led to unintended consequences. This teaches us the importance of consulting God in all our decisions, big or small.

Discernment in Decision-Making
The deception by the Gibeonites serves as a reminder to be discerning and not rely solely on appearances or human wisdom.

Consequences of Neglecting Prayer
The Israelites' oversight in not praying for guidance resulted in a binding treaty with the Gibeonites. This underscores the potential consequences of neglecting prayer in our lives.

God's Sovereignty and Grace
Despite the Israelites' mistake, God used the situation for good, showing His sovereignty and grace. This encourages us to trust that God can redeem our errors.

Learning from Mistakes
The incident with the Gibeonites is a lesson in learning from past mistakes and seeking to align our actions with God's will in the future.1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:14?

2. Why did the Israelites fail to "seek counsel from the LORD" in Joshua 9:14?

3. How can we ensure we seek God's guidance in decision-making today?

4. What other biblical examples show consequences of not seeking God's counsel?

5. How does Joshua 9:14 teach us about the importance of prayerful discernment?

6. What steps can we take to avoid being deceived like Israel in Joshua 9?

7. Why did the Israelites fail to seek God's counsel in Joshua 9:14?

8. How does Joshua 9:14 illustrate the consequences of neglecting prayer?

9. What does Joshua 9:14 teach about human reliance on wisdom over divine guidance?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9?

11. Why would an omniscient God allow His leaders to be misled in such a strategic event (Joshua 9)?

12. Why was there a famine during David's reign?

13. In 2 Samuel 21:1, how can a just God hold an entire nation accountable with famine for Saul’s sin?

14. Why did Joshua fail to seek divine guidance (Joshua 9:14) before making a treaty? Then the men of Israel

“Then the men of Israel …” (Joshua 9:14a)

• The phrase points to Israel’s leaders, the same men who had just conquered Jericho and Ai (Joshua 6–8).

• Their past victories may have fostered confidence in their own judgment—something Scripture repeatedly warns against (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12).

• God had already shown that leaders must consult Him before acting; when Joshua failed to do so earlier, thirty-six Israelites died at Ai (Joshua 7:2-5,10-13).

• Numbers 27:21 had laid down a clear standard: leaders were to “stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD.” Israel’s commanders knew this requirement.

---

Sampled their provisions

“… sampled their provisions …” (Joshua 9:14a)

• The leaders inspected the moldy bread, cracked wineskins, and worn clothing the Gibeonites offered, leaning on physical evidence rather than divine direction.

• Relying on sight alone is a consistent biblical pitfall—Eve saw the fruit was good (Genesis 3:6); Samuel nearly anointed Eliab because of appearance (1 Samuel 16:6-7).

• Scripture invites believers to test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21) but never to do so apart from seeking God. Without prayer, even a thorough investigation is incomplete.

• Proverbs 3:5-6 captures the issue: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

---

But did not seek the counsel of the LORD

“… but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.” (Joshua 9:14b)

• This clause explains why the treaty became a snare (Joshua 9:15-27). The problem was not diplomacy itself but neglecting God’s direct guidance.

• David modeled the opposite approach, repeatedly asking, “Shall I go up?” before battle (2 Samuel 5:19,23). Each inquiry brought a customized strategy.

• Isaiah 30:1-2 warns, “Woe to the rebellious children … who proceed without consulting Me.” Israel’s oversight in Joshua 9 fits that indictment.

• New-covenant believers enjoy even more intimate access: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (James 1:5). Consistent prayer shields us from costly shortcuts.

• The episode underscores Scripture’s accuracy in portraying human frailty and the literal consequences of disobedience: the Gibeonites lived among Israel as wood-cutters and water-carriers, fulfilling Joshua’s oath yet becoming a perpetual reminder of this lapse (Joshua 9:26-27).

---

summary

Joshua 9:14 teaches that victories and careful analysis are not enough; God expects His people to ask Him first. Israel’s leaders examined evidence but skipped prayer, exposing the nation to deception. The verse calls every believer to place divine guidance above human perception, trusting the Lord who sees beyond appearances and directs paths for those who seek His counsel.

(14) And the men took of their victuals.--And they accepted the men from (the appearance of) their provisions. This, which is the view taken in our marginal reading, seems to be the more probable interpretation, and follows the Targum. "The men" can hardly refer to any one but the ambassadors of the Gibeonites.

Verse 14. - And the men took of their victuals. Most commentators prefer this rendering to that of the margin, "and they received the men because of their victuals." The natural explanation - though several others are given, for which see Keil in loc. - would seem to be that the Israelites relied on the evidence of their senses, instead of upon the counsel of God. They could see the condition of the garments, sacks, and wine skins of the Gibeonites. They tasted of their victuals to convince themselves of the truth of those statements of which the sight was insufficient to take cognisance. And asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. Even in the most obvious matter it is well not to trust too implicitly to our own judgment. Nothing could seem more clear or satisfactory than the account given of themselves by the Gibeonites - nothing more easy for the unassisted intellect to decide. And yet Joshua and the congregation were deceived. It is perhaps too much to say, with some commentators - Maurer, for instance - that Joshua disobeyed a plain command in acting thus. The passage in which Joshua is instructed to "stand up before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him at the judgment of Urim before the Lord" (Numbers 27:18-23), does not require him to do so in all cases. But it was clearly "an act of gross carelessness" (Calvin). And the inference may safely be drawn that in no case whatever is it wise to trust to ourselves. However obvious our course may be, we shall do well to take counsel with God by prayer.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then the men of Israel
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

sampled
וַיִּקְח֥וּ (way·yiq·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

their provisions,
מִצֵּידָ֑ם (miṣ·ṣê·ḏām)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6718: The chase, game, lunch

but did not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

seek
שָׁאָֽלוּ׃ (šā·’ā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

the counsel
פִּ֥י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the LORD.
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


Joshua 9:14 NIV
Joshua 9:14 NLT
Joshua 9:14 ESV
Joshua 9:14 NASB
Joshua 9:14 KJV

Joshua 9:14 BibleApps.com
Joshua 9:14 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 9:14 Chinese Bible
Joshua 9:14 French Bible
Joshua 9:14 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 9:14 The men sampled their provisions and didn't (Josh. Jos)