Joshua 10:16

16 During the battle the five kings escaped and hid in a cave at Makkedah.

Joshua 10:16 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:16

But these five kings fled
They were not killed by hailstones, nor slain by the sword of the Israelites, but made their escape, being reserved by the providence of God for a more shameful end:

and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah;
not in the city of Makkedah, which as yet was not in the hands of Israel, whereas this cave was, as appears by what follows; but it was in some hill, or mountain, near it; in the border of it, as Kimchi expresses it, and where a hill is shown to this day in which it was, as Drusius says.

Joshua 10:16 In-Context

14 There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the LORD answered such a prayer. Surely the LORD fought for Israel that day!

15 Then Joshua and the Israelite army returned to their camp at Gilgal.

16 During the battle the five kings escaped and hid in a cave at Makkedah.

17 When Joshua heard that they had been found,

18 he issued this command: “Cover the opening of the cave with large rocks, and place guards at the entrance to keep the kings inside.