Study Desk

But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord . A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah.

When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there; it won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all our people struggle to go up there."

So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai

Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest."

So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest.

They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the Lord was no longer angry.

So Joshua and all the fighting men set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 of his best warriors and sent them out at night

So they left and went to the place of ambush between Bethel and the west side of Ai. But Joshua remained among the people in the camp that night.

So they stationed the main army north of the town and the ambush west of the town. Joshua himself spent that night in the valley.

Meanwhile, the Israelites who were inside the town came out and attacked the enemy from the rear. So the men of Ai were caught in the middle, with Israelite fighters on both sides. Israel attacked them, and not a single person survived or escaped.

So the entire population of Ai, including men and women, was wiped out that day—12,000 in all.

So Joshua burned the town of Ai, and it became a permanent mound of ruins, desolate to this very day.

So our elders and all our people instructed us, ‘Take supplies for a long journey. Go meet with the people of Israel and tell them, "We are your servants; please make a treaty with us."'

So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord .

Let them live." So they made them woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community, as the Israelite leaders directed.

They replied, "We did it because we—your servants—were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded his servant Moses to give you this entire land and to destroy all the people living in it. So we feared greatly for our lives because of you. That is why we have done this.

So Joshua did not allow the people of Israel to kill them.

So King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem sent messengers to several other kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon.

So these five Amorite kings combined their armies for a united attack. They moved all their troops into place and attacked Gibeon.

So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon.