Israeltookonlythe cattleand the spoilof that cityas plunderfor themselves, according to the wordof the LORDwhichHe had commandedJoshua.
"For everybeastof the forestis Mine, The cattleon a thousandhills.
onlythe goldand the silver,the bronze,the iron,the tinand the lead,
"You and Eleazarthe priestand the headsof the fathers'[households] of the congregationtakea countof the bootythat was captured,both of manand of animal;
Is it not lawfulfor me to dowhatI wishwith whatis my own?Oris your eyeenviousbecauseI amgenerous?'
"But allthe animalsand the spoilof the citieswe tookas our booty.
They cameout, they and alltheir armieswith them, [as] manypeopleas the sandthat is on the seashore,with verymanyhorsesand chariots.
"You shall doto Aiand its kingjustas you didto Jerichoand its king;you shall takeonlyits spoiland its cattleas plunderfor yourselves. Setan ambushfor the citybehindit."
So JoshuaburnedAiand madeit a heapforever,a desolationuntilthisday.
