Joshua 10:17-26

¹⁷It was told to Joshua, “They have been found!—the five kings hidden in the cave at Makkedah!”

¹⁸Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and place soldiers there to guard them.

¹⁹Do not stay yourselves. Pursue your enemies and attack them from the rear. Do not permit them to enter into their cities, because Yahweh your God has given them into your hand.”

²⁰Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaughtering them with a very great slaughter, until they were almost completely destroyed; only a few survivors who escaped reached the fortified cities.

²¹Then the whole army returned in peace to Joshua at the camp at Makkedah. No one dared to say one word against any of the people of Israel.

²²Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and out of the cave bring to me these five kings.”

²³They did as he said. They brought to 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.

²⁴When they brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned every man of Israel. He said to the commanders of the soldiers who had gone into battle with him, “Put your feet on their necks.” So they came up and put their feet on their necks.

²⁵Then he said to them, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Be strong and courageous. This is what Yahweh will do to all your enemies you are going to fight.”

²⁶Then Joshua attacked and killed the kings. He hung them on five trees. They hung on the trees until evening.