And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.
Joshua ... turned back and (re-crossing the Leontes) took Hazor ... the head of all those kingdoms. The ruins of a city called Hazur, on Tell Harah are now supposed to be the long-sought-for Hazor (Stanley, 'Sinai and Palestine,' p. 390; also 'Lectures on the Jewish Church,' p. 256). This, however, is not the opinion of Dr. Robinson ('Biblical Researches,' 3:, p. 356), nor of Professor Porter, (see the notes at Judges 3:1-31).
Smote the king thereof with the sword. His death by beheading, and not by the ignominious gallows, was probably owing to his dignified position as suzerain of the whole northern districts of Palestine.