“The Lord could have told Joshua of the Gibeonites’ trick, but He didn’t. For a reason.
Fast forward to the reign of SAUL, first king of Israel”
Yes, that’s how it turned out, but had they ASKED HIM, He would have answered. This theme shows up in Judges when Israel is in civil war against Benjamin. They ask Him three times about going into battle. They lose twice but win the third time. Their question changes and they grow more humble in their prayer.
Bingo. I noted in post #7 "the main thing I look for: the presence of inquiry, and its nature and quality."
I imagine Saul of Tarsus might have attempted some form of (warped, if not downright demonic) inquiry before and during his deadly persecution of Christians, before finally getting an answer he never could have imagined. Of course, it's entirely possible he never inquired at all, and merely asked for or demanded blessing upon what he and the leaders had already decided.