Joshua 8:3-17

Joshua and his entire army set out to attack Ai. He chose thirty thousand valiant warriors and sent them ahead by night with these instructions: “Now pay attention. Set an ambush behind Ai, but don’t hide very far away. Stay alert and ready for battle! I’ll lead the rest of the army and make a direct assault on the city, and when they come out to fight us, we’ll flee from them as we did the first time. When this happens, they’ll say to themselves, ‘Look! They’re running away from us, just like last time!’ And they’ll keep chasing us until we’ve lured them away from the city. While we’re running away from them, jump up from your hiding place, race into Ai, and seize it. YAHWEH, your God, will deliver the city into your hands! When you’ve captured the city, set it on fire. Now that you have your orders, go and do as YAHWEH has commanded!” Joshua then sent them off, and they proceeded to take up a concealed position west of Ai, between Ai and Bethel, while Joshua spent the night with the rest of the troops. So early the next morning, Joshua mustered his troops. He and the leaders of Israel went in front of the army and led them toward Ai. The entire fighting force with Joshua advanced until they were near the city and encamped north of Ai, with a valley between them and the city. He placed a smaller force of about five thousand men west of the city to set an ambush between Bethel and Ai. The main fighting force north of the city prepared for battle, while the rear guard held a concealed position west of the city. Joshua spent the night in the valley. At dawn, when the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he and his army rushed out to fight. They ran to attack Israel at a predetermined place en route to the Arabah, not knowing that an ambush had been set against them behind the city. Joshua and all the main fighting force fled toward the wilderness as though they were being overcome. Joshua’s tactic drew all of Ai’s reinforcements out of the city, and they set off in hot pursuit of Joshua and his men. Not a man remained in Ai or in Bethel who did not go out in pursuit of Israel, leaving their city undefended.