But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for Yahweh thy Elohim hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
For it was of Yahweh to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
And Yahweh said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Bethel, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.