Israel took the loot and the livestock of that city for themselves, as the Lord had commanded Joshua.
Every creature in the forest, ⌞even⌟ the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine.
Any gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead—
“You, the priest Eleazar, and the heads of the families of the community need to count all the loot, including the people and animals you captured.
Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?’
However, we did loot the cities, taking all of the cattle and goods.
They came out with all their armies. Their troops were as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore. They also had horses and chariots.
You will do the same thing to Ai and its king that you did to Jericho and its king. However, you may take its loot and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.”
So Joshua burned Ai and made it a deserted mound of ruins. It is still in ruins today.