Joshua Captures Makkedah

¹⁶ And these ^(A)five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. ¹⁷ Then it was told Joshua, saying, “The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” ¹⁸ And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and assign men by it to keep watch over them, ¹⁹ but as for you, do not stand there; pursue your enemies and ^[a]attack them in the rear. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for Yahweh your God has given them into your hand.” ²⁰ Now it happened when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a very great slaughter ^(B)until they were completely destroyed, and the survivors—those of them who survived—^[b]had entered the fortified cities, ²¹ that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. No one so much as ^[c]lifted his tongue against any of the sons of Israel.

²² Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.” ²³ And they did so and ^(C)brought these 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 Now it happened that when they brought these kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near, ^(D)put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks. ²⁵ Joshua then said to them, “^(E)Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus Yahweh will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.” ²⁶ So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he ^(F)hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening. ²⁷ Now it happened that at ^[d]sunset Joshua gave a command, and ^(G)they took them down from the trees and threw them down into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and they put large stones over the mouth of the cave, to this very day.