14. Never before and never since has the Lord done anything like that for someone who prayed. The Lord was really fighting for Israel.
15. After the battle, Joshua and the Israelites went back to their camp at Gilgal.
16. While the enemy soldiers were running from the Israelites, the five enemy kings ran away and hid in a cave near Makkedah.
17. Joshua's soldiers told him, “The five kings have been found in a cave near Makkedah.”
18. Joshua answered, “Roll some big stones over the mouth of the cave and leave a few soldiers to guard it.
19. But you and everyone else must keep following the enemy troops, because they will be safe if they reach their walled towns. Don't let them get away! The Lord our God is helping us get rid of them.”
20. So Joshua and the Israelites almost wiped out the enemy soldiers. Only a few safely reached their walled towns.
21. The Israelite army returned to their camp at Makkedah, where Joshua was waiting for them. No one around there dared say anything bad about the Israelites.
22. Joshua told his soldiers, “Now, move the rocks from the entrance to the cave and bring those five kings to me.”
23. The soldiers opened the entrance to the cave and brought out the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.
24. After Joshua had called the army together, he forced the five kings to lie down on the ground. Then he called his officers forward and told them, “You fought these kings along with me, so put your feet on their necks.” The officers did,
25. and Joshua continued, “Don't ever be afraid or discouraged. Be brave and strong. This is what the Lord will do to all your enemies.”
26. Joshua killed the five kings and told his men to hang each body on a tree. Then at sunset