16. During the battle the five kings escaped and hid in a cave at Makkedah.
17. When Joshua heard that they had been found,
18. he issued this command: “Cover the opening of the cave with large rocks, and place guards at the entrance to keep the kings inside.
19. The rest of you continue chasing the enemy and cut them down from the rear. Don’t give them a chance to get back to their towns, for the lord your God has given you victory over them.”
20. So Joshua and the Israelite army continued the slaughter and completely crushed the enemy. They totally wiped out the five armies except for a tiny remnant that managed to reach their fortified towns.
21. Then the Israelites returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. After that, no one dared to speak even a word against Israel.
22. Then Joshua said, “Remove the rocks covering the opening of the cave, and bring the five kings to me.”
23. So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.