We then drove up the mountains to Nebi Samuel. This location has so many multiple layers. It was assumed to be Rama, the burial place for Shmuel Hanavi. It is most likely not that. But it is possibly Mitzpah where Shmuel coronated Shaul Hamelech and gathered the people of Israel.
And so they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and [in a parley] said to him and to the rest of Israel’s side, “We come from a distant land; we propose that you make a pact with us.”
Yehoshua 9:6
The reason we came here was because of it’s overlook to Al Jib, a now Arab village just down the hill. We learned that archeologists had discovered a huge breicha, or well there and as they dug it out they found many things including pottery handles inscribed with the word Givon. This was the Canaanite city which made peace with Israel. There were 5 Givonite cities and this is one of the primary ones.
The people of Gibeon thereupon sent this message to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not fail your servants; come up quickly and aid us and deliver us, for all the Amorite kings of the hill country have gathered against us.”
So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with all his combat troops—all the trained warriors.
Yehoshua 10:6-7
We then learned about the important lesson of when the nation of Israel came to the aid of the Givonim when they were attacked for making peace with Israel. Even though Israel was not technically bound by their alliance, because of the deceitful conditions it was made under, they honored their commitment and saved tis pagan nation which ultimately led to the battle which allowed Israel control over the heartland of Israel. We discussed contemporary parallels to today.