1. But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the lord was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah.
2. Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven.
3. When they returned, they told Joshua, “There’s no need for all of us to go up there; it won’t take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don’t make all our people struggle to go up there.”
4. So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai
5. chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.
6. Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the lord until evening.