²⁸ They answered, “We saw clearly that the Lord was with you;^(A) so we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’—between us and you. Let us make a treaty^(B) with you

¹² Be careful not to make a treaty^(A) with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare^(B) among you.

² and when the Lord your God has delivered^(A) them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy^(B) them totally.^[a](C) Make no treaty^(D) with them, and show them no mercy.^(E)

⁷ The Israelites said to the Hivites,^(A) “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty^(B) with you?”

² and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land,^(A) but you shall break down their altars.^(B)’ Yet you have disobeyed^(C) me. Why have you done this?

Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh

11 Nahash^[a](A) the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead.^(B) And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty^(C) with us, and we will be subject to you.”

¹⁹ “Let there be a treaty^(A) between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”

³⁴ “I will return the cities^(A) my father took from your father,” Ben-Hadad^(B) offered. “You may set up your own market areas^(C) in Damascus,^(D) as my father did in Samaria.”

Ahab said, “On the basis of a treaty^(E) I will set you free.” So he made a treaty with him, and let him go.

¹³ Then he took a member of the royal family and made a treaty^(A) with him, putting him under oath.^(B) He also carried away the leading men^(C) of the land,