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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Joshua 10:15 - 10:27
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The Five Kings put to Death
v. 15. And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp, to Gilgal, this central location being convenient for all campaigns.
v. 16. But these five king's fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah, for the lime-and chalk-rocks of this neighborhood contain many suitable caves.
v. 17. And it was told Joshua, saying", The five king's are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
v. 18. And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them, to guard the entrance, lest they escape;
v. 19. and stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them, the rear-guard, so far as there was still a semblance of order in their ranks; suffer them. not to enter into their cities, to escape into fortified places; for the Lord, your God, hath delivered them into your hand.
v. 20. and it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them, a small remnant, entered into fenced cities, where they were safe for the time being.
v. 21. And all the people returned to the camp, to Joshua, at Makkedah, where he had pitched for the purpose of continuing the campaign, in peace; none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel, Exo_11:7. The enemies were so thoroughly subdued and frightened that no one ventured to do any harm to any of the children of Israel, although they must have been scattered far and wide in their pursuit of the Amorite army.
v. 22. Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.
v. 23. And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
v. 24. And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near and put your feet upon the necks of these kings, in token of their complete subjection and of the conquest of all enemies of the Lord. And they came near and put their feet upon the necks of them.
v. 25. And Joshua said unto them, to the officers of his army, Fear not, nor be dismayed, filled with terror, be strong and of good courage; for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
v. 26. And afterward, after this symbolical act, Joshua smote them, the five kings, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. Cf Jos_8:29.
v. 27. And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, Deu_21:23, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day, or, which the Israelites had kept in the mouth of the cave to the day when the kings were executed. It was an act of God's punishment, and shows the manner in which He is able to deal with all His enemies and those who interfere with His plans in His Church.