Israel Deploys the Ambush

10

Joshua got up early the next morning and mobilized his men, and he and the elders of Israel marched before them up to Ai.

11

Then all the troops who were with him marched up and approached the city. They arrived in front of Ai and camped to the north of it, with the valley between them and the city.

12

Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.

13

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.

14

When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city.

15

Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.

16

Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city.

17

Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel.

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