Joshua 8:17-19

Expanded Bible

¹⁷ All the men of Ai and Bethel chased the army of Israel [^Cnearby Bethel must have been closely allied with Ai]. The city was left ·open [unguarded]; not a man ·stayed to protect it [^Lwas left in Ai or Bethel].

¹⁸ Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Hold ·your spear [^Lthe spear/javelin that is in your hand] toward Ai, because I will give ·you that city [^Lit into your hand].” So Joshua held ·his spear [^Lthe spear/javelin that was in his hand] toward the city of Ai. ¹⁹ When the Israelites who were in ambush saw this, they quickly came out of their hiding place and hurried toward the city. They entered the city, ·took control of [captured] it, and quickly set it on fire.