So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites [were] not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah.

'Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and in fact gave his hand and still did all these [things,] he shall not escape.' "

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "[As] I live, surely My oath which he despised, and My covenant which he broke, I will recompense on his own head.

Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the LORD.

I [say,] "Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God.

Therefore [you] must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.