10:5a

So the five kings of the Amorites: The phrase the five kings of the Amorites refers to the kings who were mentioned in verse 3. These kings were all “Amorite” kings. The term “Amorite” referred to people who lived in the hill country. These five kings lived in the southwestern hill country. The towns of the Gibeonites were north of Jerusalem. These kings wanted to attack Gibeon because they had trade connections with it. The peace treaty that the Gibeonites made with the Israelites made it difficult to trade with them.

10:5b

the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon: This list of kings is repeated from verse 3. In some languages it may be more natural to avoid some of the repetition.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Then the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon (New International Version)
-or-
When these five Amorite kings (Contemporary English Version)

10:5c

joined forces: The clause joined forces indicates that the five kings assembled their armies together.

and advanced with all their armies: The clause advanced with all their armies indicates that the five kings led their armies and went to the towns of Gibeon.

advanced: The Hebrew text says they advanced. Although the towns of Gibeon were at about the same elevation as Jerusalem, they were higher than the other four towns. In languages that do not keep track of elevation, it may be more natural to say:

they went with all their armies

10:5d

They camped before Gibeon: The clause camped before Gibeon indicates that the armies surrounded the town so that the Gibeonites could not leave it. They could not find food and would soon become weak. Then the five Amorite armies could conquer it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

(they) surrounded Gibeon (Good News Translation)
-or-
(they) moved all their troops into place (New Living Translation (2004))

In 9:17 it says that the Gibeonites lived in four towns: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. Probably this attack was only against the town of Gibeon.

and made war against it: The clause made war against it indicates that the five armies attacked the towns of Gibeon.

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