Meanwhile news of the capitulation of Gibeon having reached the ears of the southern kings, they resolved to attack the recreant city, and five powerful chiefs, the king of JEBUS, the king of HEBRON or KIRJATH-ARBA, the king of JARMUTH, the king of LACHISH, the king of EGLON, marched against it, and commenced a regular siege. In their alarm the Gibeonites sent an urgent message to Joshua at Gilgal, bidding him _slack not his hand_, but come to their aid with the utmost speed, and deliver them from their powerful foes. Perceiving that not a moment was to be lost, Joshua instantly arrayed all his forces, and by a forced march suddenly burst upon the Amorite kings, as they lay encamped before the city. Unable to offer any effectual resistance to this utterly unexpected attack, they were helpless before the Hebrew leader, and _the Lord who fought for Israel_. Numbers were slaughtered at Gibeon itself, numbers fled along the rocky ascent leading to Upper Beth-horon (_the house of Caves_), about four miles distant. Hence, however, they were chased by the triumphant Israelites along the rough descent leading to Lower Beth-horon, and thence to Azekah and Makkedah, when a terrific storm burst forth; _the Lord thundered out of heaven_ and _cast down great hailstones_ upon the flying Canaanites, _so that they were more which died with the hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword_ (Josh. x. 11). Standing on the summit of Upper Beth-horon[158], Joshua watched the foe flying in helpless confusion towards the western lowlands. The Lord had already delivered them into his hands, and time only was needed to render the rout complete and enable his forces to _avenge themselves_ on their enemies. But the day was far advanced, and he feared the Canaanites might yet make good their escape. _In the sight_, then, _of all Israel_, he cried, _Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon_ (_the place of deer_ or _gazelles_). And the Lord, who fought for Israel, hearkened to the voice of His servant: _the sun stood still, and the moon stayed_, and in the lengthened afternoon the pursuit was continued without pause or rest. Arrived at Makkedah, somewhere in the Shephelah or maritime plain, the five kings hid themselves in a well-known cave[159] shaded by trees. But thither also the tide of battle brought the triumphant Joshua, who bade his followers only pause _to roll great stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them_. Longer he would not tarry; intent upon the pursuit he urged his forces to smite the hindmost of their foes, and prevent their escaping into their cities. His words were obeyed, nor till they had made an end of slaying the Canaanites with a great slaughter did the pursuers return to Makkedah. Here a camp was formed, and the mouth of the cave having been opened, the five kings were dragged forth in the sight of Joshua and all the men of Israel.