Joshua 10:16-27

Evangelical Heritage Version

¹⁶ Those five kings fled and hid in the cave at Makkedah. ¹⁷ It was reported to Joshua: “The five kings have been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”

¹⁸ So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and station men over it to guard them. ¹⁹ But you—do not stand still. Chase your enemies and attack them from the rear.^[a] Do not give them a chance to get to their cities, because the Lord your God has given them into your hand.”

²⁰ When Joshua and the people of Israel had inflicted a devastating blow upon them, to the point that they were almost wiped out (though a small group of survivors escaped into the fortified cities), ²¹ then all the people returned safely to the camp of Joshua at Makkedah. No one dared to speak a word against^[b] the people of Israel—against any one of them!

²² Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.” ²³ They did so and brought those five kings out to him from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. ²⁴ When they had brought those kings out to Joshua, he summoned every man of Israel and said to the commanders of the fighting men who had gone with him, “Come, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came and put their feet on their necks.

²⁵ Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid. Do not be overwhelmed. Be strong and courageous because the Lord will do these same things to all your enemies against whom you are waging war.” ²⁶ Joshua struck them down after that, and after he had killed them, he hung them on five trees. They were hung on the trees until evening.

²⁷ At sunset Joshua gave the command, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves. They placed large stones over the mouth of the cave, which remain there to this very day.