Yehoshua 10:17

17 And it was told Yehoshua, saying, The five melachim are found hiding in a me’arah at Makkedah.

Yehoshua 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.

Yehoshua 10:17 In-Context

15 And Yehoshua returned, and kol Yisroel with him, unto the machaneh at Gilgal.

16 But these five melachim fled, and hid themselves in a me’arah (cave) at Makkedah.

17 And it was told Yehoshua, saying, The five melachim are found hiding in a me’arah at Makkedah.

18 And Yehoshua said, Roll avanim gedolot upon the mouth of the me’arah, and post anashim by it to be shomer over them;

19 And stop ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and attack them; allow them not to enter into their towns; for Hashem Eloheichem hath delivered them into your yad.