Joshua 10:16–27
16 Now these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
17 And it was told to Joshua, saying, “The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”
18 So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post men by it to guard them,
19 but do not stay there yourselves; pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the Lord your God has handed them over to you.”
20 It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them down in a very great defeat, until they were destroyed, and the survivors of them who escaped had entered the fortified cities,
21 that all the people returned to the camp, to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. No one uttered a word against any of the sons of Israel.
22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.”
23 They did so, and brought these five kings out to him from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
24 When they brought these kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the leaders of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come forward, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came forward and put their feet on their necks.
25 Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all your enemies with whom you fight.”
26 So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they were hung on the trees until evening.
27 Then it came about at sunset that Joshua gave the command, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and put large stones over the mouth of the cave, to this very day.
Judgment on the Five Kings
Five kings hid in a cave
There is a literary form often seen in the Old Testament called the “Law of Recurrence,” which is a detailed restatement of how certain events happened in earlier accounts. Knowing this, certain Bible passages will be a lot easier to understand. With that in mind, we can see that 10:16–27 is a detailed restatement of what is already written in 10:7–15. (1) The five kings fled and hid in a cave. (2) The armed men of Israel blocked the mouth of the cave with large stones to prevent them from escaping. Then they pursued the enemy army and destroyed them. (3) Afterward, they returned to the cave and executed the kings. Joshua instructed his commanders to put their feet on the kings’ necks. This was a common tradition, which symbolized the subjugation of the enemy. (4) The kings were killed and hanged from five trees until evening. Thus, the masterminds who led the Amorites into sin were brought to light and judged. As so, God’s justice was fulfilled. (5) It should be noted that there was not a single person who was hostile toward Israel in all of these events. Something similar happened back in Exodus 11:7. “But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.”
Lesson for us
Israel’s victory over the southern five-king coalition foreshadows Christ’s victory. Psalms 110:1 says, “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” This was a prophecy the Father had given to the Son. Christians will taste ultimate victory with Christ. Let us go out into the world again today with the conviction that God’s justice will be fulfilled. Do not be content with a partial victory. Rather, we should pursue the ultimate victory as we go forth with our Lord. Let’s take time to examine ourselves and readjust ourselves to the bigger vision.
Today's prayer
Righteous God, Your justice will surely come to pass. Please let me taste the final victory with Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.