Joshua 8:13

13 So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley.

Joshua 8:13 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 8:13

And when they had set the people
In battle array, as in ( 1 Kings 20:12 ) ; that is, Joshua and the officers of the army:

[even] all the host that [was] on the north of the city;
where Joshua and the main army were:

and the liers in wait on the west of the city:
both the first and second ambush; when all, were prepared and got ready by their several officers, to act the part they were to do:

Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley;
according to Ben Gersom, to see whether the guards or sentinels which were placed there were awake or asleep, lest the men of Ai should come suddenly upon them and smite them; but perhaps it might be to pray and meditate.

Joshua 8:13 In-Context

11 Then all the troops who were with him marched up and approached the city. They arrived in front of Ai and camped to the north of it, with the valley between them and the city.

12 Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.

13 So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley.

14 When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city.

15 Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.