And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.
When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he and his men quickly got up early and rushed out of the city to fight against Israel at the planned time, in front of the valley. But he didn't know that Israeli soldiers were hiding in ambush behind his city.
The king of Ai confidently rushed out to battle Israel, not realizing he was walking straight into a trap with enemy forces waiting behind his city.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during Israel's conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, after their previous defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin had been resolved. Joshua was now implementing a clever military strategy using a feint attack and ambush to capture the fortified city of Ai, which controlled an important mountain pass.
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