The Amorite Kings Executed

¹⁶ But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah. ¹⁷ And it was told Joshua, saying, “The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”

¹⁸ So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them. ¹⁹ And do not stay there yourselves, but pursue your enemies, and attack their rear guard. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand.” ²⁰ Then it happened, while Joshua and the children of Israel made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they had finished, that those who escaped entered fortified cities. ²¹ And all the people returned to the camp, to Joshua at Makkedah, in peace.

^(A)No one ^[a]moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

²² Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave.” ²³ And they did so, and brought out those five kings 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 So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” And they drew near and ^(B)put their feet on their necks. ²⁵ Then Joshua said to ^[b]them, ^(C)“Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for ^(D)thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” ²⁶ And afterward Joshua struck ^[c]them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they ^(E)were hanging on the trees until evening. ²⁷ So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they ^(F)took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.