1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.
2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to A´i, which is beside Beth–a´ven, on the east side of Beth–el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed A´i.
3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite A´i; and make not all the people to labor thither; for they are but few.
4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men; and they fled before the men of A´i.