<P> According to the book of Joshua, when the Hebrews were encamped at Shittim, in the "Arabah" or Jordan valley opposite Jericho, ready to cross the river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out two spies to investigate the military strength of Jericho . The spies stayed in Rahab's house, which was built into the city wall . The soldiers sent to capture the spies asked Rahab to bring out the spies . Instead, she hid them under bundles of flax on the roof . It was the time of the barley harvest, and flax and barley are ripe at the same time in the Jordan valley, so that "the bundles of flax stalks might have been expected to be drying just then". </P> <P> Rahab told the spies: </P> <P> I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that dread of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt in fear before you . For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed . As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you . The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below . Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family . Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death . </P> <P> After escaping, the spies promised to spare Rahab and her family after taking the city, even if there should be a massacre, if she would mark her house by hanging a red cord out the window . Some have claimed that the symbol of the red cord is related to the practice of the "red - light district". </P>

What did rahab ask the spies to do for her
find me the text answering this question