³ So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem appealed to Hoham king of Hebron,^(A) Piram king of Jarmuth,^(B) Japhia king of Lachish^(C) and Debir^(D) king of Eglon.^(E)

Five Amorite Kings Killed

¹⁶ Now the five kings had fled^(A) and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. ¹⁷ When Joshua was told that the five kings had been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah, ¹⁸ he said, “Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it.

²⁴ When they had brought these kings^(A) to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, “Come here and put your feet^(B) on the necks of these kings.” So they came forward and placed their feet^(C) on their necks.

²⁵ Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.^(D) This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” ²⁶ Then Joshua put the kings to death and exposed their bodies on five poles, and they were left hanging on the poles until evening.

²⁷ At sunset^(E) Joshua gave the order and they took them down from the poles and threw them into the cave where they had been hiding. At the mouth of the cave they placed large rocks, which are there to this day.^(F)