Joshua 10:16-28
Five Kings in the Cave
Read the passage
16Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
17And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”
18So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post men there to guard them.
19But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.”
20So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities.
21The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared to utter a word against the Israelites.
22Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.”
23So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.
24When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
25“Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.”
26After this, Joshua struck down and killed the kings, and he hung their bodies on five trees and left them there until evening.
27At sunset Joshua ordered that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave in which they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day.
28On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. So he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The five kings hide in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua orders large stones rolled across its mouth and guards posted there. The army must continue the pursuit rather than let the enemy reach its fortified cities. Israel inflicts a great slaughter, while the remaining survivors escape into those cities.
When the army returns, Joshua has the five kings brought out. He tells his commanders to put their feet on the kings' necks, then urges them to be strong and courageous: the LORD will do this to the enemies they fight. The defeated kings stand as a visible sign of the victory promised to Israel.
Joshua kills the kings and hangs their bodies on five trees until evening. At sunset they are taken down and thrown into the cave, whose entrance is again covered with stones.
That same day Joshua captures Makkedah and kills its king and everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. The passage describes severe conquest judgments. We should neither hide them nor separate them from the particular command Israel had received.
Questions
1 Where do the five kings hide?
AnswerThey hide in a cave at Makkedah while Joshua's army continues pursuing the enemy forces.
2 What does Joshua do with the cave?
AnswerHe orders the cave sealed with large stones until the battle is complete and the army can return.
3 What message does Joshua give the commanders?
AnswerHe tells them not to be afraid because the LORD will give Israel victory over its enemies.
4 What happens to Makkedah at the end of the reading?
AnswerJoshua captures it and puts its king and inhabitants to death, leaving no survivors.
What This Means for Us
The scene of feet on defeated kings' necks can expose a desire we recognize: wanting someone who hurt us to be humiliated. This conquest command does not give Christians permission to act out that desire.
Romans 12:19–21 tells us to leave vengeance to God and feed an enemy who is hungry. Resisting evil includes refusing its hold on our own conduct. Seek protection when needed, tell the truth about harm, and choose an act of good instead of retaliation.
Prayer
God of righteous judgment, keep us from using Scripture to bless our anger. Give us courage to resist evil, restraint when we are hurt, and wisdom to pursue justice without cruelty or revenge. Amen.
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