11 All the people of war with him went up, advanced, and came in front of the city. They camped to the north of Ai, with a valley between him and Ai.
12 But he had taken about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
13 So they stationed the people, the main army that was to the north of the city, and its rear guard to the west of the city. Then Joshua walked that night in the midst of the valley.
14 So it came to pass when the king of Ai saw this, the men of the city hurried and rose up early, and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place facing the Arabah. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.
15 So Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled by the way of the wilderness.
16 Then all the people who were in Ai were summoned to pursue them, so they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city.
17 Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, so they left the city open as they chased after Israel.