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THE FIVE KINGS HELD CAPTIVE IN MAKKEDAH
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Joshua 10:22-43

Psalm 64

 

“And all men shall fear,

and shall declare the work of God…”

 

THE FIVE KINGS HELD CAPTIVE IN MAKKEDAH
 
The armies of the enemies were entirely destroyed. The kings were, however, protected and all the five managed to escape to a cave in Makkedah. They became captives because they were stripped of their armies. Joshua ordered great stones to be rolled upon the mouth of the cave. They were locked up in the cave. He also ordered round-the-clock vigil.
 
Joshua ordered a mop-up to ensure that none of the armies of those kings escaped. They were not allowed to enter their cities, and were all slain. The next day, the five kings were removed from the cave and the men of Israel were ordered to put their feet on their necks. This humiliation was meant to declare victory over them. Joshua then spoke to encourage his men: “Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight” (Josh 10:25). The kings were slain and hanged on five trees. Hanging, according to the law, is symbolic of a curse. They were afterwards buried in the cave. This victory gave Joshua a greater stride in his occupation of Canaan.
 
The defeat of the five kings and the capture of their cities were a major victory up to this point for Joshua. He completely destroyed those cities and slew all their inhabitants. He did this with little effort. In addition to the cities of those kings, he also smote Kadeshbarnea, Gaza and Goshen (Josh 10:41). The Canaanites were greatly frightened because of Israel and had to flee before them. They were afraid to resist Israel’s advance. This hastened Israel’s occupation of this land, and that would allow Joshua to divide the land among the tribes of Israel. God fought for Israel and they returned to their camp at Gilgal. The conquest of Canaan picked up pace with the capture of those five cities.
 
THOUGHT: God was the source of Israel’s conquests and victories.

PRAYER: Father, may I trust Thee in every spiritual venture.

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