Print

Print


Joshua 10:16-27

Meanwhile, these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at
Makkedah.  And it was told Joshua, "The five kings have been found, hidden
in the cave at Makkedah."  Joshua said, "Roll large stones against the
mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them; but do not stay there
yourselves; pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear.  Do not
let them enter their towns, for the LORD your God has given them into your
hand."  When Joshua and the Israelites had finished inflicting a very
great slaughter on them, until they were wiped out, and when the survivors
had entered into the fortified towns, all the people returned safe to
Joshua in the camp at Makkedah; no one dared to speak against any of the
Israelites.

Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings
out to me from the cave."  They did so, and brought the 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.  When they brought
the kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the Israelites, and said to
the chiefs of the warriors who had gone with him, "Come near, put your
feet on the necks of these kings."  Then they came near and put their feet
on their necks.  And Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or dismayed;
be strong and courageous; for thus the LORD will do to all the enemies
against whom you fight."  Afterward Joshua struck them down and put them
to death, and he hung them on five trees.  And they hung on the trees
until evening.  At sunset Joshua commanded, and they took them down from
the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves;
they set large stones against the mouth of the cave, which remain to this
very day.