18. he said, “Roll large stones to the mouth of the cave and post guards over it.
19. But do not remain there yourselves. Pursue your enemies, and harry them in the rear. Do not allow them to reach their cities, for the Lord, your God, has delivered them into your power.”
20. Once Joshua and the Israelites had finally inflicted the last blows in this very great slaughter, and the survivors had escaped from them into the fortified cities,
21. all the army returned to Joshua and the camp at Makkedah in victory; no one uttered a sound against the Israelites.
22. Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring me those five kings from the cave.”
23. They did so; they brought out to him from the cave the five kings, of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.
24. When they brought the five kings out to Joshua, he summoned all the army of Israel and said to the commanders of the soldiers who had marched with him, “Come forward and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” They came forward and put their feet upon their necks.
25. Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed, be firm and steadfast. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies against whom you fight.”
26. Thereupon Joshua struck and killed the kings, and hanged them on five trees, where they remained hanging until evening.
27. At sunset Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the trees and be thrown into the cave where they had hidden; over the mouth of the cave large stones were placed, which remain until this very day.