6 They will keep coming out after us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will think, ‘They are fleeing from us as they did the last time.’ When we flee,
7 then you rise from ambush and take possession of the city, which the Lord, your God, will deliver into your power.
8 When you have taken the city, set it on fire in obedience to the Lord’s command. These are my orders to you.”
9 Then Joshua sent them away. They went to the place of ambush, taking up their position to the west of Ai, toward Bethel. Joshua, however, spent that night with the army.
10 Early the next morning Joshua mustered the army and went up to Ai at its head, with the elders of Israel.
11 When all the troops he led were drawn up in position before the city, they pitched camp north of Ai, on the other side of the ravine.
12 He took about five thousand warriors and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, west of the city.