Study Desk

So about three thousand men went up, but they were put to flight before the men of Ai.

And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

So Joshua arose early the next morning and had Israel come forward tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected.

So Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me."

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

And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.

So Joshua and the whole army set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 valiant warriors and sent them out at night

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

So Joshua sent them out, and they went to the place of ambush and lay in wait between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. But Joshua spent that night among the people.

So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley.

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Hold out your battle lance toward Ai, for into your hand I will deliver the city." So Joshua held out his battle lance toward Ai,

and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire.

Meanwhile, those in the ambush came out of the city against them, and the men of Ai were trapped between the Israelite forces on both sides. So Israel struck them down until no survivor or fugitive remained.

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

So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.'

So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities-Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them."

They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation." So the leaders kept their promise.

The Gibeonites answered, "Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.

So Joshua did this and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill the Gibeonites.