¹⁷ So the children of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. ¹⁸ Now the children of Israel did not attack them, for the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, so the congregation murmured against the leaders.

¹⁹ Yet all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We swore to them by the Lord God of Israel, so now we may not harm them.