According to Deuteronomy 20:10–11, servitude was the destiny of cities that made peace with the Israelites. The Gibeonites were condemned to slavery. They had to provide wood and water at all the various sites where Israel brought offerings to the Lord, primarily at the tabernacle and later at the temple. Wood and water are essential for daily operation of the sacrifices (Leviticus 1:7, Leviticus 1:9). In the ancient world, many peoples offered themselves as slaves rather than face extinction at the hands of a superior army.1
23 Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.”