Joshua 9
After the people of Israel took Ai the rest of the people in the promised land decided to band together against Israel. That likely helped Israel conquer the land faster. Four cities of the Hivites however chose to use deception to seek a league with the Israelites by pretending to be from a far country. Joshua and the leaders of Israel did not consult the Lord but believed their eyes and ears and were taken in by the deception until after they had sworn a league with the men.
For the sake of their oath they spared those cities but made the people to be perpetual servants to Israel. By sparing those people they may have made it that much easier for their children to wander into forbidden religious practices.
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