1. Be on your guard against deception (1-13)
The kings of six nations west of the Jordan were fearful. These kings formed an alliance to wage war on Israel. The Gibeonites, however, knew that they would be defeated and devised an ingenious plan. They sent a delegation, dressing them in worn clothes and carrying moldy food. They convinced the leaders that they were from a distant land and they sought a peace treaty, declaring themselves to be their servants. They did their best to survive and it worked. God did not reveal their deception. God had a plan for these people during the conquest.
2. The results of not being prayerful (14-15)
The Israelites did not inquire of the Lord. They tasted the dry, moldy food and depended on their human intellect to figure out what to do. As a result, they could not see through the deception. They were blinded and ended up ratifying a treaty by oath. Human intellect is not enough. Servants of God must always depend on God by praying.