Royal town of Gibeon; were good fighters, all its men.
The feared fate of Jericho, conqu'ring God they did not know,
Swept though Egypt and through Ai; did King Sihon and Og die.
The Lord's hand, full of power, held Gibeon at that hour.
Gibeon defied defeat; worn, patched sandals on their feet,
Donkeys loaded with old sacks, wineskins mended at the cracks,
Claimed to come from faraway; O God's people did not pray!
Israel believed the ruse, trusted moldy bread as clues.
Bound in treaty, sworn by oath, peaceful life assured by both,
Isr'el found out the deceit, after Gibeon's retreat.
Shocked the traitors lived nearby, whole assembly gave a cry.
Israel forgot God's word, now remembered what they heard:
Do not make an oath with those, in the land for you I chose.
God had warned them not to dare, live with those who would ensnare,
With worship to their idol gods; keep their souls from worthless frauds.
O what trouble, now too late! Break an oath, a wrathful fate.
So Israel did protest; Gibeon would have no rest.
Escape judgment by the sword, for the altar of the Lord,
Carry water and cut wood, they chose what seemed right and good.
God's mercy shown to his foes; in God's house, He drew them close.
Amorites had no pity, for that important city.
Kings did come to pick a fight, joined forces with a Jebusite.
Gibeon sent a request; treaty was put to the test.
Israel, save your servant! Their all-night march, quite fervent...
O what wonders did prevail, heav'nly storehouse full of hail,
He reserved for days of war; hurled from the sky, down they pour.
Pray to God to hold the light, lest the kings make their flight.
So the sun was made to stay, in its place for a whole day.
God gave kings into their hands; not one of them could withstand.
Surprise attack, confused men; victory at Gibeon,
Chased, advanced on from the rear; all the armies fled in fear.
Kings brought low from safe places; trapped in caves, lost their races.
Gibeon was not destroyed, no thanks to the tricks deployed.
God, Israel's Mighty One, who established moon and sun,
Majesty, golden splendor; came to be their defender.
Like Rahab, they might be spared; by a God, who for them, cared.
And one might doubt if it's true, God's faithfulness continue,
To Gibeon as years passed, would Israel's strange oath last?
Cruel king would their trust break; zealous Saul, their lives did take.
Benjamite who shared the grounds; Gibeon, the tribe surrounds.
Israel, with famine struck; punishment for three years stuck.
King David sought the Lord's face, justice for the Hivite race.
Saul's sons were the sacrifice; settled accounts, paid the price.
David asked in humbleness, inheritance of God to bless.
God brought into his story, Gibeon, for his glory.
They feared his coming at first, but they were saved from the worst.
Servants brought close to his tent; up against their foes, God went.
When Israel failed to protect; their cause, God did not neglect.
Perhaps you fear the Lord, too; can God cast judgment on you?
Maybe like Gibeon be; seek peace with Him, a treaty.
Serve in his house and be blessed, saved by acts of righteousness,
And when others do you ill, be restored by His good will.
