Joshua 10:17

17 Someone told Joshua, "The five kings have been found. They are hiding in the cave at Makkedah."

Joshua 10:17 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:17

And it was told Joshua
Either by some of his own people, or by some of the inhabitants of the land in his interest, who had observed it:

saying, the five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah:
this seems to make it appear that they were others, and not Joshua's soldiers, that found them; for had they, no doubt they would have seized them, and brought them before him, or slain them, unless they chose first to know his will concerning them, next expressed.

Joshua 10:17 In-Context

15 Then Joshua and all Israel returned to the camp at Gilgal.

16 The five kings ran away and hid in the cave at Makkedah.

17 Someone told Joshua, "The five kings have been found. They are hiding in the cave at Makkedah."

18 Joshua replied, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post a guard there.

19 But don't stop. Chase your enemies! Cut off their rear guard. Don't let them get back into their own cities, because the LORD your God has handed them over to you."