We learn from verse 5 that the four kings to whom Adonizedek sent the message were Amorite kings, as was King Adonizedek himself. It may be useful to introduce that information at the beginning of this verse, and to indicate that the four kings to whom the message was sent were neighboring kings of Adonizedek. For example:

• At that time there were four other Amorite kings in the region besides King Adonizedek. They were King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish, and King Debir of Eglon. So Adonizedek sent a message to each of them. 4 He said …

Four cities are listed: Hebron, about 32 kilometers south of Jerusalem; Eglon, about 56 kilometers southwest of Jerusalem; Jarmuth and Lachish were between Eglon and Jerusalem, Lachish being nearer to Eglon. The word Amorite (verse 5) is equivalent to Canaanite; it may be that the term was especially used of the native peoples in the hill country (verse 6; see 3.10).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .