The execution of kings in the biblical narrative often serves as a demonstration of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. These events are typically depicted as acts of judgment against those who have opposed God's will and oppressed His chosen people, Israel. The following entries highlight key instances of such executions as recorded in the Scriptures.

1. The Five Amorite Kings (Joshua 10:16-27):

In the conquest of Canaan, Joshua led the Israelites against a coalition of five Amorite kings who had attacked Gibeon, an ally of Israel. The kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua commanded that the cave be sealed with large stones and guarded. After the victory, Joshua ordered the kings to be brought out. He instructed his commanders to place their feet on the necks of the kings, symbolizing their complete subjugation. Joshua then executed them and hung their bodies on trees until evening, after which they were thrown back into the cave. This act was a fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the enemies of Israel into their hands and served as a powerful message of God's sovereignty and the fate of those who oppose Him.

2. Agag, King of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:32-33):

King Saul was commanded by God, through the prophet Samuel, to completely destroy the Amalekites, including their king, Agag. However, Saul disobeyed by sparing Agag and taking the best of the livestock. When Samuel confronted Saul about his disobedience, he declared that God had rejected Saul as king. Samuel then executed Agag himself, stating, "As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women" (1 Samuel 15:33). This execution underscored the seriousness of Saul's disobedience and the importance of complete adherence to God's commands.

3. The Kings of Midian (Numbers 31:7-8):

During the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, they were commanded by God to take vengeance on the Midianites for leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Peor. Moses sent a thousand men from each tribe to war, and they killed every male, including the five kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba. Balaam, the prophet who had counseled Balak to entice Israel into sin, was also killed. This execution was a direct act of divine retribution against those who had led Israel astray and demonstrated God's protection over His people.

4. Zedekiah, King of Judah (2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 39:6-7):

Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, despite warnings from the prophet Jeremiah. As a result, Jerusalem was besieged, and Zedekiah attempted to flee but was captured. Nebuchadnezzar ordered the execution of Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, and then Zedekiah's eyes were put out, and he was taken in chains to Babylon. This tragic end was a fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies and served as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's word.

5. The Kings of Canaan (Judges 1:7):

Adoni-Bezek, a Canaanite king, was captured by the men of Judah. He had previously mutilated seventy kings by cutting off their thumbs and big toes, forcing them to gather scraps under his table. Upon his capture, the Israelites did the same to him. Adoni-Bezek acknowledged the justice of his punishment, saying, "As I have done, so God has repaid me" (Judges 1:7). This event illustrates the principle of divine retribution and the measure-for-measure justice that is often seen in the biblical narrative.

These accounts of the execution of kings in the Bible highlight the themes of divine justice, the fulfillment of God's promises, and the consequences of opposing His will. They serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of His purposes in history.