The Lord routed them before Israel. Israel thoroughly defeated them at Gibeon. They chased them up the road to the pass of Beth Horon and struck them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.

Joshua and the Israelites almost totally wiped them out, but some survivors did escape to the fortified cities.

Anyone who accidentally kills someone can escape there; these cities will be a place of asylum from the avenger of blood.

These were the cities of refuge appointed for all the Israelites and for resident foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed someone could escape there and not be executed by the avenger of blood, at least until his case was reviewed by the assembly.