16 Now these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah . 17 It was told Joshua , saying , "The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah ." 18 Joshua said , "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave , and assign men by it to guard them, 19 but do not stay there yourselves ; pursue your enemies and attack them in the rear . Do not allow them to enter their cities , for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand ." 20 It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying them with a very great slaughter , until they were destroyed , and the survivors who remained of them 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 chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, "Come near , put your feet on the necks of these kings ." So they came near and put their feet on their necks . 25 Joshua then said to them, " Do not fear or be dismayed ! Be strong and courageous , for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight ." 26 So afterward e Joshua struck them and put them to death , and he hanged them on five trees ; and they hung on the trees until evening . 27 It came about at sunset e that Joshua gave a command , and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where e they had hidden themselves, and put large stones over the mouth of the cave , to this very day .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 10:16-27
Commentary on Joshua 10:15-27
(Read Joshua 10:15-27)
None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. This shows their perfect safety. The kings were called to an account, as rebels against the Israel of God. Refuges of lies will but secure for God's judgment. God punished the abominable wickedness of these kings, the measure of whose iniquity was now full. And by this public act of justice, done upon these ringleaders of the Canaanites in sin, he would possess his people with the greater dread and detestation of the sins of the nations that God cast out from before them. Here is a type and figure of Christ's victories over the powers of darkness, and of believers' victories through him. In our spiritual conflicts we must not be satisfied with obtaining some important victory. We must pursue our scattered enemies, searching out the remains of sin as they rise up in our hearts, and thus pursue the conquest. In so doing, the Lord will afford light until the warfare be accomplished.