16 Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
16 These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
16 Meanwhile the five kings had hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
16 But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
16 During the battle the five kings escaped and hid in a cave at Makkedah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 10:16
Commentary on Joshua 10:15-27
(Read Joshua 10:15-27)
None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. This shows their perfect safety. The kings were called to an account, as rebels against the Israel of God. Refuges of lies will but secure for God's judgment. God punished the abominable wickedness of these kings, the measure of whose iniquity was now full. And by this public act of justice, done upon these ringleaders of the Canaanites in sin, he would possess his people with the greater dread and detestation of the sins of the nations that God cast out from before them. Here is a type and figure of Christ's victories over the powers of darkness, and of believers' victories through him. In our spiritual conflicts we must not be satisfied with obtaining some important victory. We must pursue our scattered enemies, searching out the remains of sin as they rise up in our hearts, and thus pursue the conquest. In so doing, the Lord will afford light until the warfare be accomplished.