Joshua 10:16-21 - The kings had hidden in the cave

10:16-19

The five kings had fled and hidden in a cave. Revelation speaks of people hiding in caves in terror. Joshua learnt of what the kings had done, and ordered that large rocks be placed in front of the cave, and guards were posted. In the meantime the army was to pursue the rest of the fleeing armies. They were to do this because “the Lord your God has given them into your hand”. Just a side note here that because God has done something, or decreed something, does not mean that we sit by and do nothing! Quite the opposite, in fact. The Israelites were to pursue the armies precisely because God had given them into their hands.

10:20,21

10:20 is important in interpreting “extreme statements”. It says that Israel “defeated them completely”, but then adds that a few did escape. So when we read that a whole city or people have been destroyed, it does not necessarily mean that every single individual was killed or destroyed. It may well mean that victory was overwhelming. The other people feared the Israelites because of the victories.