22. Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there.”
23. That is what they did. They brought the five kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon to Joshua out of the cave.
24. When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military 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. Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all the enemies you fight.”
26. After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung their bodies on five trees and they were there until evening.
27. At sunset Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day.
28. On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and struck it down with the sword, including its king. He completely destroyed it and everyone in it, leaving no survivors. So he treated the king of Makkedah as he had the king of Jericho.
29. Joshua and all Israel with him crossed from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah.
30. The Lord also handed it and its king over to Israel. He struck it down, putting everyone in it to the sword, and left no survivors in it. He treated Libnah’s king as he had the king of Jericho.
31. From Libnah, Joshua and all Israel with him crossed to Lachish. They laid siege to it and attacked it.
32. The Lord handed Lachish over to Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day. He struck it down, putting everyone in it to the sword, just as he had done to Libnah.
33. At that time Horam king of Gezer went to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors in it.
34. Then Joshua crossed from Lachish to Eglon and all Israel with him. They laid siege to it and attacked it.