These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
It is especially significant here that the account is realistic, reasonable, and free from exaggeration.  Woudstra pointed out that mention is made in  Joshua 10:20 of escapees who successfully avoided either capture or death and were able to take refuge in their fortified cities.  Such facts as this and many others evoked a comment from Woudstra that, "Such features lend credibility; this is not just an epic, or a saga.  It is HISTORY."[31]