Topical Bible: Israel: Ai Captured

◄ Israel: Ai Captured ►

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The capture of Ai is a significant event in the history of Israel, recorded in the Book of Joshua, chapters 7 and 8. This event follows the Israelites' initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin and subsequent repentance and obedience to God's commands, leading to their eventual victory.

Background and Context

After the miraculous fall of Jericho, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, set their sights on the city of Ai. Ai was a smaller city compared to Jericho, located east of Bethel and near the Jordan River. The initial attempt to capture Ai ended in failure due to Israel's disobedience. Achan, an Israelite, had taken some of the devoted things from Jericho, which God had commanded to be destroyed or consecrated to Him. This sin brought God's anger upon the entire nation.

The Defeat at Ai

In Joshua 7, the Israelites, confident after their victory at Jericho, sent a small force to capture Ai. However, they were defeated, and about thirty-six men were killed. Joshua, distressed by this defeat, sought the Lord, who revealed Achan's sin as the cause of their failure. The Israelites then dealt with Achan's sin by stoning him and his family, purging the sin from among them.

The Strategy for Victory

With the sin addressed, God instructed Joshua on a new strategy to capture Ai. In Joshua 8, God commanded Joshua to set an ambush behind the city. Joshua took 30,000 of his best warriors and sent them out by night to lie in wait behind Ai. Meanwhile, he led another group to approach the city from the front, drawing the men of Ai out of the city.

The Capture of Ai

As the men of Ai pursued Joshua's forces, the ambush was sprung. The Israelites in hiding entered the city, set it on fire, and then attacked the men of Ai from behind. The men of Ai found themselves trapped between the two Israelite forces. The city was captured, and its king was taken alive and later executed. The Israelites were allowed to take the livestock and spoil of the city as plunder, as God had instructed.

Biblical Account

The Berean Standard Bible provides a detailed account of these events. Joshua 8:1-2 states, "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.'"

Significance

The capture of Ai demonstrated the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of sin within the community. It also showcased God's faithfulness in delivering His people when they repented and followed His instructions. The victory at Ai was a pivotal moment in Israel's conquest of Canaan, reinforcing Joshua's leadership and God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 8:1
And the LORD said to Joshua, Fear not, neither be you dismayed: take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
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Library

The Capture of Jericho and Ai
... When you have captured it, set it on fire ... were to hide and placed themselves on the
west side of Ai. ... he went up, together with the rulers of Israel, before the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the capture of jericho and.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... pitiful last hour of the wretched troubler of Israel untouched ... us, Jericho is not
too strong to be captured; when He is driven from us by our own sin, Ai is not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... the Wady Kelt ran past the villages of Ai and Bethel ... The other towns ultimately captured
by the southern tribes were Hebron ... It inaugurated Israel's pioneer period ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... Pharaoh towards him. Ai proclaimed him his heir over the whole land.**. * All
that ... his eternal throne. Ai no longer occupied it. Horus took ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... entailed that of three neighbouring towns, Ai, Bethel, and ... for the many evils they
had inflicted on Israel. ... his youngest brother Othniel, who captured the city ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm