The soldiers were arranged for battle with the main camp north of the city and the rest of the men to the west. Joshua spent the night in the valley.
He took about five thousand men and put them in hiding west of the city, between Ai and Bethel.
When the king of Ai saw Joshua's men, he acted quickly. He and all his men went out toward the Jordan Valley to fight the Israelites at the same place as before, not knowing that he was about to be attacked from the rear.
After you have taken the city, set it on fire, just as the Lord has commanded. These are your orders.”