Defeat at Ai

7 But the children of Israel 1committed a atrespass regarding the baccursed 2things, for cAchan the son of Carmi, the son of 3Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.

2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few.” 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people, dbut they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore ethe 4hearts of the people melted and became like water.

6 Then Joshua ftore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they gput dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord 5God, hwhy have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its 6back before its enemies? 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and icut off our name from the earth. Then jwhat will You do for Your great name?”

The Sin of Achan

10 So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. kFor they have even taken some of the 7accursed things, and have both stolen and ldeceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. 12 mTherefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because nthey have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. 13 Get up, osanctify 8the people, and say, p‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.”