But it would have fared better with the Gibeonites had they dealt honestly with Israel. While their submission to Jehovah secured the preservation of their lives, their deception brought them only disgrace and servitude. God had made provision that all who would renounce heathenism, and connect themselves with Israel, should share the blessings of the covenant. They were included under the term, "the stranger that sojourneth among you," and with few exceptions this class were to enjoy equal favors and privileges with Israel. The Lord's direction was-- "If a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself." Leviticus 19:33, 34. Concerning the Passover and the offering of sacrifices it was commanded, "One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you: . . . as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord." Numbers 15:15.

Men det ville være gået gibeonitterne langt bedre, hvis de havde været ærlige overfør Israel. De reddede ganske vist livet ved at underkaste sig Israels Gud, men der kom kun vanære og trældom ud af deres bedrag. Gud havde besluttet, at alle de, der ville give slip på hedenskabet og slutte sig til Israel, skulle have del i pagtens velsignelser. De kom ind under betegnelsen den fremmede inden dine porte, og disse skulle på få undtagelser nær have samme velsignelser og fordele som Israel. Herren havde sagt: "Når en fremmed bor hos dig i Eders land, må I ikke lade ham lide overlast; som en af Eders egne skal I regne den fremmede, der bor hos Eder, og du skal elske ham som dig selv." 3. Mos. 19, 33-34. Med henblik på påsken og frembærelse af ofre var der givet denne befaling: "Inden for forsamlingen skal en og samme ordning gælde for Eder og den fremmede, som bor hos Eder; hvad der gælder for Eder, skal også gælde for den fremmede for Herrens åsyn." 4. Mos. 15, 15.