16 Meanwhile those five kings had fled away and hidden at Makkedah in a cave, 17 and Yehoshua was told, “The five kings have been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah.” 18 Yehoshua said, “Roll large rocks across the mouth of the cave and assign men to guard them there, 19 but the rest of you, don’t stay there. Chase after your enemies and attack them from behind. Don’t let them get into their cities, because your God Yahweh wants you all to defeat them. 20 So Yehoshua and the Israelis finished most of them off, although some did manage to escape and get back into their fortified cities. 21 Then all the people returned to Yehoshua in the camp at Makkedah. After that, no one dared to criticise the Israelis.

22 Then Yehoshua said, “Open up the cave and bring those five kings to me.” 23 They did it and brought the five kings out from the cave—the kings of Yerushalem, Hebron, Yarmut, Lakish, and Eglon. 24 When they took them to Yehoshua, he summoned all the warriors and told the commanders, “Come over here. Put your feet on the necks of these kings.” 25 Then he told them, “Don’t be afraid and don’t be dismayed. Be strong and courageous, because this is what Yahweh will do to all your enemies—including the ones that you all still have to fight.” 26 Then Yehoshua executed the five kings and hanged them on five trees, where their bodies were left until evening. 27 As the sun was going down, he commanded that the bodies be brought down and thrown into the cave where they had hidden, and they placed large rocks over the cave entrance again, which are still there to this day.