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
27. he told some of his troops, “Take the bodies down and throw them into the cave where the kings were found. Cover the entrance to the cave with big rocks.”Joshua's troops obeyed his orders, and those rocks are still there.
28. Later that day, Joshua captured Makkedah and killed its king and everyone else in the town, just as he had done at Jericho.
29. Joshua and his army left Makkedah and attacked the town of Libnah.
30. The Lord let them capture the town and its king, and they killed the king and everyone else, just as they had done at Jericho.
31. Joshua then led his army to Lachish, and they set up camp around the town. They attacked,
32. and the next day the Lord let them capture the town. They killed everyone, as they had done at Libnah.
33. King Horam of Gezer arrived to help Lachish, but Joshua and his troops attacked and destroyed him and his army.
34. From Lachish, Joshua took his troops to Eglon, where they set up camp surrounding the town. They attacked,