²¹ They continued, “Let them live,^(A) but let them be woodcutters and water carriers^(B) in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

²³ You are now under a curse:^(A) You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

²⁷ That day he made the Gibeonites^(A) woodcutters and water carriers^(B) for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose.^(C) And that is what they are to this day.

³ and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes.^(A) David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.