8:4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye {b} shall lie in wait against the city, [even] behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
(b) God would not destroy Ai by a miracle, as Jericho, so that other nations would fear the power and policy of his people.
8:4 Them - The same party last spoken of, even the five thousand mentioned ver.12, there are only two parties engaged in the taking of Ai, and but one ambush, as plainly appears by comparing ver.9, with ver.12, which speaks only of five thousand, who are justly supposed to be a part of those thirty thousand named, ver.3.
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.
