We see here, in this episode, a drama unfolding between the Gibeonites and Israel where we find decisions that challenge our own understanding of what is virtuous and wise for men to do in light of God's directives. We find a pagan nation exercising evil through deceitful cunning, endeavoring to make a covenant on false pretenses by tricking Israel into a unwise peace treaty. We also find Israel falling for their trick and entering into a rash vow. Neither acted uprightly and neither got what they were looking for, because the covenants are not made through trickery or through folly, but only upon the grace and mercy of God.