Study Desk

So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord 's anger burned against Israel.

Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai.

So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai,

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.

So Joshua and the whole army moved out to attack Ai. He chose thirty thousand of his best fighting men and sent them out at night

They will pursue us until we have lured them away from the city, for they will say, ‘They are running away from us as they did before.' So when we flee from them,

So the soldiers took up their positions—with the main camp to the north of the city and the ambush to the west of it. That night Joshua went into the valley.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city." So Joshua held out toward the city the javelin that was in his hand.

Those in the ambush also came out of the city against them, so that they were caught in the middle, with Israelites on both sides. Israel cut them down, leaving them neither survivors nor fugitives.

So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolate place to this day.

The Israelites said to the Hivites, "But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?"

So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim.

This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God's wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them."

They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly." So the leaders' promise to them was kept.

They answered Joshua, "Your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.

So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them.

So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem appealed to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish and Debir king of Eglon.

So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men.

The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.