12 Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. |
13 They had the soldiers take up their positions-all those in the camp to the north of the city and the ambush to the west of it. That night Joshua went into the valley. |
14 When the king of Ai saw this, he and all the men of the city hurried out early in the morning to meet Israel in battle at a certain place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set against him behind the city. |
15 Joshua and all Israel let themselves be driven back before them, and they fled toward the desert. |
16 All the men of Ai were called to pursue them, and they pursued Joshua and were lured away from the city. |
17 Not a man remained in Ai or Bethel who did not go after Israel. They left the city open and went in pursuit of Israel. |
