Joshua 10:16-27

International Children’s Bible

¹⁶ During the fight the five kings ran away. They hid in a cave near Makkedah. ¹⁷ But someone found them hiding in the cave and told Joshua. ¹⁸ So he said, “Cover the opening to the cave with large rocks. Put some men there to guard it. ¹⁹ But don’t stay there yourselves. Continue chasing the enemy. Continue attacking them from behind. Don’t let them get to their cities safely. The Lord your God has given you the victory over them.”

²⁰ So Joshua and the Israelites killed the enemy. But a few were able to get back to their strong, walled cities. ²¹ After the fighting, Joshua’s men came back safely to him at Makkedah. No one was brave enough to say a word against the Israelites.

²² Joshua said, “Move the rocks that are covering the opening to the cave. Bring those five kings out to me.” ²³ So Joshua’s men brought the five kings out of the cave. They were the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon. ²⁴ They brought the five kings out to Joshua. He called all his men to come to that place. He said to the commanders of his army, “Come here! Put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came close and put their feet on their necks.

²⁵ Then Joshua said to his men, “Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid. I will show you what the Lord will do to the enemies you will fight in the future.” ²⁶ Then Joshua killed the five kings. He hung their bodies on five trees. And he left them hanging on the trees until evening.

²⁷ At sunset Joshua told his men to take the bodies down from the trees. Then they threw their bodies into the same cave where they had been hiding. They covered the opening to the cave with large rocks. They are still there today.