Joshua 10:16-43

Meanwhile, the five Amorite kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. When Joshua was told that the five kings had been found hiding in a cave at Makkedah, Joshua ordered his men, “Seal up the mouth of the cave with large stones and post guards in front of it. But don’t stop! Pursue your enemies! Cut off their retreat and don’t let them reach their cities, for YAHWEH your God has given them into your hand!” So Joshua and the Israelites nearly killed them all—almost to a man—although a few escaped into the fortified cities. The whole army returned safely to Joshua at the camp in Makkedah. No one dared speak against the Israelites. Then Joshua ordered, “Open up the cave and bring the five kings out to me.” So Joshua’s men removed the 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, and brought them before Joshua. Joshua summoned all of Israel and ordered his army officers, “Place your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they placed their feet upon their necks! Then Joshua said to his officers, “Never be afraid of your enemies or let them discourage you. Be strong and filled with courage! YAHWEH is going to do to all your enemies what he’s done to these kings!” Then Joshua had the kings executed and hanged on five trees, and he left them there until evening. At sunset, Joshua ordered them taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave where they had been hiding. He had large stones rolled over the mouth of the cave, and they remain there to this day. That day, Joshua captured Makkedah, annihilated the inhabitants, and put its king to the sword, leaving no survivors. And he did to its king what had been done to the king of Jericho. From Makkedah, Joshua and his army marched southwest to the city of Libnah and attacked it. By the power of YAHWEH, the city and its king were handed over to the Israelites. They annihilated all the inhabitants with the sword, leaving no survivors. And they did to its king what they had done to the king of Jericho. From Libnah, Joshua and his army marched south to the city of Lachish and attacked it. By the power of YAHWEH, the city was handed over to Joshua on the second day of the battle. They annihilated all the inhabitants of the city, just as they had done to Libnah. Meanwhile, Horam, king of Gezer, had marched out to help Lachish, but Joshua defeated him and his army, leaving no survivors. Then Joshua and all the Israelite army marched on from Lachish to attack the city of Eglon. By the power of YAHWEH, they captured the city in one day and destroyed its inhabitants, just as they had done to Lachish. Then Joshua and all the Israelite army marched from Eglon and attacked Hebron. By the power of YAHWEH, they captured the city, the king, and nearby villages, and totally wiped out all the inhabitants, leaving no survivors, just as they had done to Eglon. Lastly, Joshua and all the Israelite army turned around and attacked Debir. By the power of YAHWEH, they captured the city, the king, and nearby villages, and totally wiped out all the inhabitants, leaving no survivors. They did to Debir and its king as they had done to Libnah and its king and to Hebron. YAHWEH empowered Joshua to conquer the whole region, including the hill country, the southern desert, the western foothills, and the mountain slopes. He conquered all the kings of the land and left no survivors. Everything that breathed was slaughtered—as YAHWEH, the God of Israel, had commanded. Joshua’s conquest stretched from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza, and from Goshen to Gibeon. Joshua conquered all their kings and their lands in a single campaign, for YAHWEH, the God of Israel, fought for his people. Finally, Joshua and all the Israelite army returned to their base camp in Gilgal.