Definition: And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 9:3. It’s a bit complex, but here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where Joshua, the leader of Israel, tricked the people of Gibeon into believing that he had conquered Jericho and Ai. He essentially deceived them! Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Joshua had done…” : This tells us that Joshua was involved in an act of deception or trickery. “…unto Jericho…” : This refers to the city of Jericho, which was a significant and fortified city within Israel's territory. It was a place of importance. “…and to Ai…” : Joshua tricked the people of Ai into believing that he had conquered them as well. So, what happened? Joshua led the Israelites around and away from the city of Jericho for several days. He told the people of Gibeon (a neighboring kingdom) that he had defeated Jericho and Ai. This was a deliberate attempt to mislead them. The Significance: This is an example of how Joshua’s leadership could be flawed – he was using deception to achieve his goals, which ultimately led to a difficult situation for the Israelites. Essentially, it's about trust and honesty in leadership. It highlights the importance of being truthful with your people and understanding their beliefs. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Relate it to a specific biblical story or event?