Joshua 8 Summary

The LORD commands Joshua to take all the fighting men and attack Ai, promising victory and permitting Israel to keep the spoil and cattle. Joshua executes a strategic ambush: a large force hides west of the city while Joshua leads the main army to feign retreat, drawing the men of Ai out and away from their city. At the LORD's signal—Joshua stretching out his spear—the ambushers rush in, set Ai on fire, and the fleeing Israelites turn back, trapping the men of Ai in between; all twelve thousand inhabitants are killed, the king is hanged on a tree and buried under a heap of stones, and the city is burned to a permanent ruin. Joshua then leads all Israel to Mount Ebal, where he builds an altar of uncut stones, offers burnt offerings and peace offerings, writes a copy of the law of Moses on the stones, and reads aloud every word of the law—blessings and curses—before the entire congregation, including women, children, and resident strangers, as Moses had commanded.