³¹ The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away^(A) from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads—the one leading to Bethel^(B) and the other to Gibeah.

¹³ He added, “Come, let’s try to reach Gibeah or Ramah^(A) and spend the night in one of those places.” ¹⁴ So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin.^(B)

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.^(A) But he did not know^(B) that an ambush had been set against him behind the city. ¹⁵ Joshua and all Israel let themselves be driven back^(C) before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.^{(D) 16} All the men of Ai were called to pursue them, and they pursued Joshua and were lured away^(E) from the city.

⁵ who killed about thirty-six^(A) of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear^(B) and became like water.