8:12 And he took about five thousand men, {e} and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
(e) He sent these few, that the others who lay in ambush might not be discovered.
8:12 And he took - Or rather, but he had taken, namely, out of the said number of thirty thousand, for this is added by way of recapitulation and farther explication of what is said in general, ver.9.
8:3-22 Observe Joshua's conduct and prudence. Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease. Probably he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing, and he did not seek in vain. He never drew back till the work was done. Those that have stretched out their hands against their spiritual enemies, must never draw them back.
