SUBMISSION AND OPPOSITION. 75

not done with the five kings of the Amorites yet. None
of them fell in battle ; they all fled and hid themselves
in a cave near Makkedah. When Joshua was told that
they had been found there; he told the people to roll
stones to the mouth of the cave, and leave them there ;
then go to pursue the flying foes, and prevent them from
entering their cities. They slew all the Amorites who
were scattered abroad; none remained except those
who had taken refuge in fenced cities. And all the
Israelites returned to the camp to Joshua in safety.
There was neither loss of life nor loss of limb among
them; and their enemies were so much overawed by
their triumph that there was no one who dared to at-
tempt anything, or even to say anything against them.
Johnnie. Were the kings left in the cave to be starved
to death ? |
Grandfather. You need not be afraid, Johnnie, that
Joshua would be so cruel as to torture them by a linger-
ing death. They were left in the cave only till their
people, who were at large, were all slain; for it was
Joshua’s practice to do first that which has most need
for haste. This teaches us to make the one thing need-
ful our first concern. When the people returned from
pursuing their enemies, Joshua commanded the kings to
be brought out of the cave. He was obeyed. Then he
told all the captains of Israel to put their feet upon the
necks of these kings, not that they might mock their
fallen foes, but that they might give glory to their God,
who had brought so low these mighty men of Canaan.