After the victory at Jericho, Joshua sends men to scout Ai. They report that only a small force should be needed.

About three thousand Israelites attack, but the men of Ai drive them back and kill several dozen soldiers. Israel’s confidence collapses.

Joshua mourns before the ark and asks why the defeat has occurred. God answers that Israel has violated the command concerning items from Jericho.

A process of identification narrows the offense to Achan of the tribe of Judah. Confronted by Joshua, Achan admits that he saw a beautiful garment, silver, and gold, coveted them, and hid them beneath his tent.

Messengers recover the objects exactly where Achan described. Judgment follows, and the place becomes associated with trouble.

Only after the breach is addressed does God tell Joshua not to fear and to return to Ai.

This time Joshua uses an ambush. The apparent retreat of Israel draws Ai’s defenders away from the city, allowing the hidden force to enter and set it on fire.

The two chapters deliberately connect defeat and victory. Jericho’s success did not make Israel invulnerable, and Ai’s small size did not make obedience irrelevant.