Joshua 10:16-27

Joshua 10:16-27

[16] But these five  kings  fled,  and hid  themselves in a cave  at Makkedah.  [17] And it was told  Joshua,  saying,  The five  kings  are found  hid  in a cave  at Makkedah.  [18] And Joshua  said,  Roll  great  stones  upon the mouth  of the cave,  and set  men  by it for to keep  [19] And stay  ye not, but pursue  after  your enemies,  and smite the hindmost  of them; suffer  them not to enter  into their cities:  for the LORD  your God  hath delivered  them into your hand.  [20] And it came to pass, when Joshua  and the children  of Israel  had made an end  of slaying  them with a very  great  slaughter,  till they were consumed,  that the rest  which remained  of them entered  into fenced  cities.  [21] And all the people  returned  to the camp  to Joshua  at Makkedah  in peace:  none moved  his tongue  against any  of the children  of Israel.  [22] Then said  Joshua,  Open  the mouth  of the cave,  and bring out  those five  kings  unto me out of the cave.  [23] And they did  so, and brought forth  those five  kings  unto him out of the cave,  the king  of Jerusalem,  the king  of Hebron,  the king  of Jarmuth,  the king  of Lachish,  and the king  of Eglon.  [24] And it came to pass, when they brought out  those kings  unto Joshua,  called  for all the men  of Israel,  and said  unto the captains  of the men  of war  which went  with him, Come near,  put  your feet  upon the necks  of these kings.  And they came near,  and put  their feet  upon the necks  [25] And Joshua  said  unto them, 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.  [26] And afterward  Joshua  smote  them, and slew  them, and hanged  them on five  trees:  and they were hanging  upon the trees  until the evening.  [27] 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. 

What does Joshua 10:16-27 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The Israelites suffered no significant losses in the mopping up operation that followed. "No one uttered a word against" ( Joshua 10:21) means no one lifted a finger in resistance against the Israelites (cf. Exodus 11:7).
Putting one"s foot on the necks of one"s enemies was a symbolic act that represented complete subjugation in the ancient Near East ( Joshua 10:24; cf. 1 Kings 5:3; Psalm 8:6; Psalm 110:1). The act also gave the Israelites greater confidence. Joshua strengthened the impact of this act with an encouraging exhortation ( Joshua 10:25).
Israel"s leaders placed large stones over the grave of the Canaanite kings ( Joshua 10:27) for the benefit of future observers (cf. Joshua 7:25). This constituted still another memorial to God"s faithfulness and power.
As believers experience increasing success in our spiritual warfare, we normally experience increasing opposition from our spiritual enemies, as Israel did. Still, the Lord fights alongside His people ( 2 Corinthians 12:9). We have responsibilities to secure victory (e.g, trust, obedience, using our resources, etc.; cf. Ephesians 6:14-18). The Lord also provides assistance naturally and supernaturally. He enables us to use the strength, Wisdom of Solomon , and endurance He has given us. He also does things we cannot possibly do for ourselves. He gave the Israelite army extra light and sent hail from the sky. He gives us material gifts, He changes the hearts of people, and He opens up new opportunities for us, to name a few of His mighty acts.