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.

Do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king, except you may plunder its goods and cattle. Set an ambush behind the city!”

He told them, “Look, set an ambush behind the city. Don’t go very far from the city; all of you be ready!

He took five thousand men and set an ambush west of the city between Bethel and Ai.