Joshua 8:16-18

Expanded Bible

¹⁶ All the men in Ai were called to chase Joshua and his men, so they ·left the city and went after them [were lured away from the city]. ¹⁷ All the men of Ai and Bethel chased the army of Israel [^Cnearby Bethel must have been closely allied with Ai]. The city was left ·open [unguarded]; not a man ·stayed to protect it [^Lwas left in Ai or Bethel].

¹⁸ Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Hold ·your spear [^Lthe spear/javelin that is in your hand] toward Ai, because I will give ·you that city [^Lit into your hand].” So Joshua held ·his spear [^Lthe spear/javelin that was in his hand] toward the city of Ai.