4. He commanded them, "Look. You are to ambush the city from behind. Don’t move too far away from the city. Be ready, all of you.
5. I will approach the city with all the people. When they come out against us the same way as before, we will flee from them.
6. They will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city. They will think, They are fleeing from us as before. So we will flee from them.
7. But you will rise up from the ambush and take over the city. The Lord your God will give it into your power.
8. As soon as you seize the city, set it on fire. Act according to the Lord’s word. Indeed, I have given you an order!"
9. Joshua sent them off, and they went to set the ambush. They stayed between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. Joshua spent that night among the people.
10. Joshua got up early in the morning and mustered the people. Then he and the elders of Israel went up in front of the people to Ai.