³ So King Adoni Zedek of Jerusalem sent this message to King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish, and King Debir of Eglon:

¹⁶ The five kings ran away and hid in the cave at Makkedah. ¹⁷ Someone told Joshua, “The five kings have been found. They are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”

¹⁸ Joshua replied, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post a guard there.

²⁴ When they brought them to Joshua, he called for all the men of Israel. He told the officers who had gone with him, “Come forward and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So that’s what they did. ²⁵ Joshua told them, “Don’t be afraid or terrified! Be strong and courageous, because this is what Yahweh will do to all the enemies you’re fighting against.”

²⁶ After this, Joshua put them to death and hung their bodies on five poles until evening. ²⁷ When the sun went down, Joshua gave the order to take them down from the poles. Then they threw them into the cave where they had been hiding and put large stones over the mouth of the cave. These stones are still there today.