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, 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.
The five kings looked formidable when they marched out, but hailstones scattered them utterly. Yet Joshua knew his work was not finished; victory must be pursued, not merely won. A prudent general completes his conquests before he triumphs over captives.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 10:15-27
And that day Joshua took Makkedah,.... Some say it was the day on which the sun stood still; but it seems to mean the day in which the five kings were hanged: and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof; slew the inhabitants of it and their king, after having entered and taken it: he utterly destroyed them and all...
The pursuit drove hard to Makkedah without stopping. Joshua halted the main force there while detachments hunted down the rest, but some few reached their cities. The next day he finished it: the five kings were put to death as the Law demanded, their bodies hung on trees until evening.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 10:16-27