Joshua - Chapter 9

1. What is the response of the residents of Canaan after having heard what became of Ai? (And as a matter of fact, does the first verse indicate that this was the report that they heard, or is this an assumption?)

While it doesn’t’ specifically say that the report they heard was about Ai – it’s reasonable to assume they heard about at least Jericho and probably Ai as well. The Art scroll give an interesting angle on this it says “Like the people of Jericho and AI before them, the Gibeonites chose to resist the Israelite conquest, but in a different manner. Jericho chose defense; Ai chose offense, the Gibeonites chose deception.
But I see their response as basically to surrender to Israel – albeit in a devious way. They wanted simply to have their lives spared.

2. Does it appear that the acceptance by Joshua of the "claim" of the Gibeonites is "naive"? What would the information sources available to Joshua have been at that time?

Joshua was a prophet, and could have consulted with Hashem before agreeing to the pact. So yes, outright acceptance does seem a bit naïve.

3. According to verse 18, what reason is given for not attacking the Gibeonites? And, why should the "aydah" (note: no reference is made to B?nai Yisrael) complain about this particular action?

The Gibeonites were not attacked because Joshua chose to keep true to the oath. Even though the oath was made under false pretences, and thus not binding, Joshua and the elders felt it would be a desecration of God’s name for Jews to nullify an oath made to non-Jews – even if they were within their rights to do so.

4. And as verse 27 indicates, the Gibeonites were menial workers "to this very day." As previously noted -- "what is this very day"?

See Answer to Q5.

5. What is the meaning of the very last four words in verse 27 "at the place which He will choose"?

It certainly sounds like it is referring to the Temple in Jerusalem – which would seem to imply that “until this day’ (see question 4) is referring to temple times or later – possible the time of the “canonization” of the Torah in time of Ezra (500-400 BCE).

Favourite Quote : "And now, we are in your hand; whatever seems good and right in your eyes to do with us - do." - Verse 25