Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. Now the five kingsThis phrase introduces the central figures of this passage, the five Amorite kings who led a coalition against Gibeon and, by extension, against Israel. Historically, these kings represent the resistance of the Canaanite city-states against the Israelite conquest. The number five often symbolizes human weakness and limitation in biblical numerology, contrasting with divine strength. These kings, despite their power and authority, are ultimately subject to God's will as executed through Joshua. had fled
The act of fleeing indicates a state of fear and desperation. In the Hebrew context, the word used here can imply a hurried escape, often associated with a lack of hope or strategy. This reflects the psychological defeat of the kings even before their physical capture. Their flight is a testament to the overwhelming power of God working through Israel, fulfilling His promise to give them victory over their enemies. and hidden
The kings' attempt to hide signifies their recognition of impending defeat. In biblical narratives, hiding often symbolizes shame and the futility of escaping God's judgment. This echoes the theme of divine justice, where no act of concealment can thwart God's plans. Theologically, it serves as a reminder that human efforts to evade divine justice are ultimately in vain. in the cave
Caves in ancient times were often used as places of refuge or burial. Archaeologically, caves in the region of Makkedah have been identified, providing a tangible connection to the biblical narrative. Symbolically, a cave can represent a temporary shelter but also a tomb, foreshadowing the kings' ultimate fate. This duality underscores the transient nature of human power when opposed to God's eternal purposes. at Makkedah
Makkedah is a location of strategic importance in the southern campaign of Joshua. Historically, it was a fortified city, and its mention here situates the narrative within a real geographical context. Theologically, Makkedah becomes a stage for God's deliverance of Israel and judgment upon the Canaanite kings. The name itself, possibly meaning "place of shepherds," contrasts the kings' leadership with the divine shepherding of Israel by God through Joshua. Persons / Places / Events 1. Five KingsThese were the kings of the Amorites who formed an alliance against Israel. Their flight and hiding signify their defeat and fear of Joshua and the Israelites. 2. Cave at MakkedahA location where the five kings sought refuge. Caves were often used as hiding places in ancient times, symbolizing a temporary escape from danger. 3. JoshuaThe leader of Israel, who was divinely appointed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. His military campaigns were marked by obedience to God's commands. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land. Their victories were a testament to God's faithfulness and power. 5. AmoritesA group of Canaanite people who opposed Israel. Their defeat was part of God's judgment against the inhabitants of Canaan. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in BattleThe defeat of the five kings illustrates God's control over the outcomes of battles. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty in their own struggles. The Futility of Opposing GodThe hiding of the kings in a cave shows the futility of resisting God's will. It serves as a reminder that no plan against God will succeed. The Importance of ObedienceJoshua's success was rooted in his obedience to God's commands. Christians are called to follow God's guidance to experience victory in their lives. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe victory over the Amorites is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel. Believers can rely on God's promises in their own lives. The Role of LeadershipJoshua's leadership was crucial in guiding Israel to victory. Effective leadership, grounded in faith and obedience, is essential in achieving God's purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the flight of the five kings reflect the broader theme of God's judgment against the Canaanites? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in our personal battles today? 3. How does Joshua's obedience to God serve as a model for Christian leadership? 4. What are some modern-day "caves" where people might try to hide from God's will, and how can we avoid them? 5. How can we apply the lessons of God's faithfulness in Joshua 10 to our own lives and challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 10:5Provides context for the alliance of the five kings and their initial attack on Gibeon, which led to their eventual defeat. Psalm 18:29-50Highlights God's deliverance and victory over enemies, similar to how God delivered the Amorite kings into Joshua's hands. Hebrews 11:30-34References the faith of those who conquered kingdoms, including Joshua, emphasizing the power of faith in achieving victory. People Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, PiramPlaces Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of AijalonTopics Cave, Fled, Flee, Flight, Hid, Hidden, Hole, Kings, Makkedah, Makke'dah, Rock, Secretly, ThemselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:16-18 4218 cave Library Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that 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 of them. 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."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPraying Saints of the Old Testaments
The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart, He will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall, and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth's music is discord and songless.--Rev. E. M. Bounds Old Testament history is filled with accounts of praying saints. The leaders of …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Gibeon. Josh 10:06
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John Newton—Olney Hymns The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 10:16 NIVJoshua 10:16 NLTJoshua 10:16 ESVJoshua 10:16 NASBJoshua 10:16 KJV
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