The oath must stand

19But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.”

20This is what we will do to them and let them live, so that wrath may not come upon us because of the oath that we swore to them.

21The leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became woodcutters and water-drawers for all the congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.