Joshua attacked them by surprise after marching all night from Gilgal.

The king of Jericho received this report: “Note well! Israelite men have come here tonight to spy on the land.”

Joshua and the whole army marched against Ai. Joshua selected thirty thousand brave warriors and sent them out at night.

The army was in position – the main army north of the city and the rear guard west of the city. That night Joshua went into the middle of the valley.

This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful.

Instruct them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests stand firmly, and carry them over with you and put them in the place where you camp tonight.’”

Joshua sent them away and they went to their hiding place west of Ai, between Bethel and Ai. Joshua spent that night with the army.