Ai in the Bible

Joshua and Ai

Christianity Oasis provides this Joshua and Ai in the Bible study on the Joshua and Ai Bible story. We'll look into that and all aspects of the Bible seeking truth, understanding and peace.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Book of Joshua
Chapter 8


Ai in the Bible Explanation

Joshua and Ai Bible Event

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our Joshua and Ai in the Bible study taking a look into the Joshua and Ai Bible story and how the Joshua and Ai message affects your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

Ai in the Bible Lesson
Joshua and Ai Bible Return to War

Happy you're here at Daily Bread for another great story from the book of Joshua. Remember that city called Ai that was in the last chapter? Yes, this was the city that unexpectedly caused Israel to turn tail and run away from them, killing thirty six soldiers of Israel because of the sin of Achan.

Now that the accursed thing was gone, and the anger of the Lord was subsided, He told Joshua not to be afraid, and to go to battle once again against the king of Ai and his people, and this time, they would defeat Ai, just as they did Jericho. But, the Lord had some different tactics in mind than those that were used to take Jericho, and He instructed Joshua just how to put the battle in array.

So Joshua sent thirty thousand soldiers out during the night to lay an ambush behind the city. Then early in the morning, the rest of the troops followed Joshua and the elders to the front of the city and a valley was between them. They made camp there and that night, Joshua went into the middle of the valley.

Ai in the Bible Study
Joshua and Ai Bible Deception

When the king of Ai learned of it, the men of Ai went out to battle against Israel, unaware of the ambush that awaited behind the city. Now, the soldiers of Israel fled from the men of Ai, pretending to be afraid of them, purposely to draw them out of the city, and not a single man was left in Ai or in the neighboring city of Bethel, that didn't pursue Israel.

Then, the Lord told Joshua to stretch out the spear in his hand toward Ai, and He would give him the victory over the city. When Joshua lifted the spear, the ambush arose from behind and took the city and hurried and set it on fire.

When the men of Ai saw the smoke of their city rising to Heaven, they had no place to run because the soldiers from Israel that pretended to be running away from them into the wilderness suddenly turned back around and the men of Ai were surrounded with no way to escape ... And none of them did.

Ai in the Bible Truth
Joshua and Ai Bible Deception

The king of Ai was taken alive to Joshua and all of the soldiers of Israel returned to the city of Ai and killed the remaining inhabitants with the sword, but the Lord told them to take the cattle and the spoil as prizes of war.

The king of Ai was hung on a tree until evening, then they buried him under a heap of stones at the gate of the city that was utterly destroyed. After that, Joshua built an altar, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord, following the instructions that Moses had given him with half the congregation standing on Mt. Gerizim and the other half on Mt. Ebal (Deuteronomy 11:26-32, Deuteronomy 27:2-13).

Joshua read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, and there wasn't a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua didn't read in the ears of the entire congregation of Israel.

Ai in the Bible Summary
Joshua and Ai Bible Conclusion

Want to learn more about the stories that happened when Joshua led the children of Israel through the Promised Land? Join in again soon, right here at Daily Bread.