Joshua 8:9

9 Joshua therefore sent them forth : and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.

Joshua 8:9 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 8:9

Joshua therefore sent them forth
The thirty thousand chosen men:

and they went to lie in ambush;
as they were ordered, ( Joshua 8:2 ) :

and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai;
for as Ai was on the east of Bethel, ( Joshua 7:2 ) . Bethel must be on the west of Ai, as Jarchi notes:

but Joshua lodged that night among the people;
the main body of the army, to direct them in the affair of war, how they should behave the next day, when they came to fight; and to inspire them with courage and confidence, that they might not be afraid, because of their having been smitten before by this people, so Ben Gersom; or rather that he and they might be ready in the morning to march towards Ai, as Jarchi and Kimchi.

Joshua 8:9 In-Context

7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush , and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.

8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do . See , I have commanded you.

9 Joshua therefore sent them forth : and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.

10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up , he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.

11 And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up , and drew nigh , and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.