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.
19 The rest of you continue chasing the enemy and cut them down from the rear. Don’t give them a chance to get back to their towns, for the lord your God has given you victory over them.”
20 So Joshua and the Israelite army continued the slaughter and completely crushed the enemy. They totally wiped out the five armies except for a tiny remnant that managed to reach their fortified towns.