Question VIII. Whether the Israelites could strike a covenant with the Gabaonites?

Of the Innovators, Calvin denies [it] in this place, once and again; and, of his followers, the Jurisconsult Alberic Gentili (bk. 3, On War, ch. 19): “I think,” he says, “[that] Joshua could not enter into any covenant with them, whatever the great Interpreters of the Bible may think otherwise.” And again afterward, often. And [it is] also the opinion of Abulensis (qq. 19 and 20). In [my commentary on] the book of 2 Maccabees, however (ch. 2, q. 23), I said [that] it was not forbidden by Deut. 7:3 for the Israelites [to make] a covenant with all Gentiles, but only with the seven nations of the Canaanites — as is clear from Exod. 34:11, and expressly from the Jews’ negative precept 48 and 49, which is “schebel lichroth berith leschibah hammim,” that is, “no covenant is to be entered with the seven peoples.” And this the first words of the Israelites with the Gabaonites indicate (in the previous question): “How shall I strike a covenant with thee?” Yet this [prohibition] concerning the seven Canaanite nations — [as] I have already expounded above (on Rahab, ch. 2, and ch. 6) — is to be taken [as holding] unless they should embrace the true faith and worship of the true God, as Rahab did. Now I add: if the covenant were private, with some one [individual], it could be made even with all his goods saved; and so it was done in Rahab[‘s case]. If the covenant were public, with a city or cities, [then] they would have to concede their land, cities, and estates to the Israelites as to the true lords appointed by God. And this latter the Gabaonites do, since so often — as we saw above (q. 4) — they profess themselves servants of the Israelites. But concerning the former [point] — “whether they were imbued with the true religion of God” — was the previous question. It is confirmed, first, from Deut. 20, v. 10. For the Jews confess [that] here [there] is a general sentence about all peoples who should want peace from Israel, even if they be Canaanites. But the Gabaonites do not wait until they be besieged, but come of their own accord: they become suppliants; they take up the sacred [rites] of God. But in v. 16 of the same chapter it treats of the Canaanites who reject peace [and] persevere in idolatry. Secondly: From ch. 11 below, v. 20, as above. Thirdly: Calvin confesses [that] peace ought to be offered them by God’s command; and yet — as if God were a hypocrite and dissembler — he refuses [it] to be given. Fourthly: With me agree St. Augustine (qq. 13, 14), Lyranus, Cajetan, [and] all the Rabbis; of the Jurisconsults, Decianus (bk. 3, consilium 20); of the Innovators, Tremellius and Junius on this passage.