Israel is the probable antecedent of "it" in Joshua 9:1 rather than the renewal of the covenant at Shechem. Israel"s success led several Canaanite kings to ally against God"s people. While this alliance was taking shape the Gibeonites initiated a different tactic. Until now in Joshua , Israel had chosen its military targets, but now others defined their military objectives. [source][source][source]
"The following chapters introduce the transition from a victorious people of God whose occupation of the land could have been the relatively simple matter of defeating those already discouraged to an unending history of battle, bloodshed, and idolatry that would haunt Israel throughout its history. As in the opening chapters of Genesis , so also in the opening chapters of Israel"s dwelling in the Promised Land, a single transgression has cosmic ramifications." [1][source]