Five Amorite Kings Executed

Joshua 10

16 But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told 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 set men by it to guard them. 19 "And do not stay there yourselves, but pursue your enemies, and attack their rear guard. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand." 20 Then it happened, while Joshua and the children of Israel made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they had finished, that those who escaped entered fortified cities. 21 And all the people returned to the camp, to Joshua at Makkedah, in peace. y No one 1 moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

22 Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave." 23 And they did so, and brought out those five kings 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 So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." And they drew near and z put their feet on their necks. 25 Then Joshua said to 2 them, a "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for b thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight." 26 And afterward Joshua struck 3 them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they c were hanging on the trees until evening. 27 So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they d took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.

28 On that day Joshua took Makkedah, and struck it and its king with the edge of the sword. He utterly e destroyed 4 them - all the people who were in it. He let none remain. He also did to the king of Makkedah f as he had done to the king of Jericho.

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 11:7
    'But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.'
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 107:40
    He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way.
    Isaiah 26:5
    For He brings down those who dwell on high, The lofty city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He brings it down to the dust.
    Isaiah 26:6
    The foot shall tread it down - The feet of the poor And the steps of the needy.
    Malachi 4:3
    You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this, " Says the LORD of hosts.
  3. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 31:6 - 8
    "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
    Joshua 1:9
    "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
  4. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 3:21
    And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings; so will the LORD do to all the kingdoms through which you pass.
    Deuteronomy 7:19
    The great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.
  5. Cross References
    Joshua 8:29
    And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until evening. And as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his corpse down from the tree, cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raise over it a great heap of stones that remains to this day.
    2 Samuel 21:9
    And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD. So they fell, all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
  6. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 21:22
    If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree.
    Deuteronomy 21:23
    His body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
    Joshua 8:29
    And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until evening. And as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his corpse down from the tree, cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raise over it a great heap of stones that remains to this day.
  7. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 7:2
    And when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.
    Deuteronomy 7:16
    Also you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you.
  8. Cross References
    Joshua 6:21
    And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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