8:24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and {k} smote it with the edge of the sword.
(k) For the fire, which they had before set in the city, was not to consume it, but to signify to Joshua that they had entered.
8:24 Smote it - That is, the inhabitants of it, the men, who through age or infirmity were unfit for war, and the women, ver.25.
8:23-29 God, the righteous Judge, had sentenced the Canaanites for their wickedness; the Israelites only executed his doom. None of their conduct can be drawn into an example for others. Especial reason no doubt there was for this severity to the king of Ai; it is likely he had been notoriously wicked and vile, and a blasphemer of the God of Israel.
