16. While the enemy soldiers were running from the Israelites, the five enemy kings ran away and hid in a cave near Makkedah.
17. Joshua's soldiers told him, “The five kings have been found in a cave near Makkedah.”
18. Joshua answered, “Roll some big stones over the mouth of the cave and leave a few soldiers to guard it.
19. But you and everyone else must keep following the enemy troops, because they will be safe if they reach their walled towns. Don't let them get away! The Lord our God is helping us get rid of them.”
20. So Joshua and the Israelites almost wiped out the enemy soldiers. Only a few safely reached their walled towns.
21. The Israelite army returned to their camp at Makkedah, where Joshua was waiting for them. No one around there dared say anything bad about the Israelites.