Joshua 10:16-28--Five Amorite Kings Executed

Joshua 10:16-28
English Standard Version

Five Amorite Kings Executed
16 These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told to Joshua, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” 18 And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set men by it to guard them, 19 but do not stay there yourselves. Pursue your enemies; attack their rear guard. Do not let them enter their cities, for the LORD your God has given them into your hand.” 20 When Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a great blow until they were wiped out, and when the remnant that remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, 21 then all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. Not a man moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel.

22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.” 23 And they did so, and brought those 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. 24 And when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war 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. 25 And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” 26 And afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening. 27 But at the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and they set large stones against the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.

​28 As for Makkedah, Joshua captured it on that day and struck it, and its king, with the edge of the sword. He devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. And he did to the king of Makkedah just as he had done to the king of Jericho.

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Isn't it strange how these five kings that were so bold to band together to challenge the LORD and His army would now be running from the battle and hiding in caves?  This place that they thought would protect them became their place of imprisonment though as Joshua ordered the men of Israel to put large stones over the mouth of the cave and to set guards before them so that none of the kings might escape. but the commanders of the troops should not guard the prisoners themselves--they were to continue to lead the troops in battle to attack the rear guard and make sure they did not enter any of the nearby cities.  Why?  Because the LORD had given them into the hands of the Israelites this day and they were to not to let any of these men that rose up in rebellion live (because they would just rise up in rebellion again and encourage others to rise up with them).  All of them were to be put to death that day.

However, some did survive and made their way to the fortified cities, and Israel was no longer able to give chase to them and had to return to the camp where the prisoners were being held without accomplishing the full victory that the LORD had wanted for them.  Then Joshua ordered that the mouth of the cave be opened and the five Amorite kings be brought to him--the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

Joshua ordered the chiefs of the men of war to come forth and put their feet on the necks of these kings and to not be afraid of them, for the LORD had given them into the hands of the Israelites.  Then Joshua said that the LORD would do the same to any other kings that would rise up and oppose them or fight against them.  All five kings were put to death by Joshua and hung on trees until evening (remember from the Law, "cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree").  Then they were taken down at sundown and buried as the Law of the LORD commanded, but they were buried in the very cave in which they tried to hide themselves.  Their place they sought for protection not only became their prison, but it became their tomb, and they returned the large stones to the mouth of the cave now to entomb them.

The city of Makkedah that the Amorite kings ran to for refuge was also captured that day, and its kings was likewise put to death.  Everyone in that city was devoted to destruction, for they too had joined the rebellion against the LORD and the nation of Israel so they fell under the same punishment as Jericho and Ai.  Not only did Joshua kill everyone, but he destroyed everything in that city.  So then this served as an example to all those who might try to rise up in rebellion against the LORD as they began the conquest of the southern part of Canaan (the part that we would call Judah later).