The Kings of the Amorites Are Killed

¹⁶ But these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. ¹⁷ And it was told to Joshua, saying, “The five kings were found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” ¹⁸ And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men in front of it to guard them. ¹⁹ But do not stay there; pursue after your enemies and attack them from the rear. Do not allow them to go into their cities, for Yahweh your God has given them into your hand.” ²⁰ When Joshua and the Israelites^[a] had finished striking them with a very great blow, until they perished, those of them who survived^[b] went into the fortified cities, ²¹ and all the people returned to the camp safely^[c] to Joshua at Makkedah. No one spoke^[d] against the Israelites.^[e]

²² And Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring to me those five kings from the cave.” ²³ And they did so, and brought him these five kings 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 And when they brought these kings to Joshua, Joshua called all the men of Israel and said to the commanders of the fighting men^[f] who had gone with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks. ²⁵ And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed! Be strong and bold, for thus Yahweh will do to all your enemies whom you are about to fight. ²⁶ And after this Joshua struck them down and killed them, and he hanged them on five trees. And they were hanging on the trees until the evening. ²⁷ And it happened at the time of sunset,^[g] Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and they put large stones against the mouth of the cave, which are there to this very day.