Joshua 8:23 Study Bible: They captured the king of Ai alive, and brought him to Joshua.

◄ Joshua 8:23 ►

But they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.

But they took
The phrase "But they took" indicates a decisive action by the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "took" is לָכַד (lakad), which often implies capturing or seizing. This action reflects the fulfillment of God's command to conquer Ai, demonstrating the Israelites' obedience and God's faithfulness in delivering their enemies into their hands. Historically, this moment signifies a turning point where Israel begins to establish itself in the Promised Land, showcasing God's sovereignty and the importance of following divine instructions.

the king of Ai
The "king of Ai" represents the leadership and power of the city of Ai. In ancient Near Eastern culture, capturing a king was a significant military achievement, symbolizing the complete subjugation of the enemy. The Hebrew word for "king" is מֶלֶךְ (melek), which denotes authority and governance. This capture underscores the theme of divine justice, as Ai's king had previously led his people against Israel. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority over earthly rulers and His ability to bring about His purposes through His chosen people.

alive
The word "alive" is crucial in this context, as it indicates that the king was not killed immediately but was preserved for a specific purpose. The Hebrew word חַי (chai) means living or alive. This decision to keep the king alive aligns with the broader narrative of God's justice and mercy, allowing for a public demonstration of God's power and the consequences of opposing His will. It also sets the stage for the subsequent events where the king's fate would serve as a warning to other nations.

and brought him
The phrase "and brought him" suggests a deliberate and purposeful action. The Hebrew verb בּוֹא (bo) means to bring or to come, indicating movement towards a destination. This act of bringing the king to Joshua signifies the transfer of authority and the submission of Ai's leadership to Israel. It highlights the role of Joshua as the leader appointed by God to execute His commands and lead His people. This moment emphasizes the importance of leadership under God's guidance and the responsibility of leaders to act according to divine direction.

to Joshua
"To Joshua" points to the central figure of the Israelite conquest narrative. Joshua, whose name in Hebrew is יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua), meaning "The LORD is salvation," serves as a type of Christ, leading God's people into the Promised Land. Bringing the king to Joshua symbolizes the submission of earthly powers to God's chosen leader. It reflects the biblical theme of God working through appointed leaders to accomplish His purposes. Joshua's role in this event underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, serving as an inspiration for believers to trust in God's plan and leadership in their own lives.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan.

2. King of Ai
The ruler of the city of Ai, which was a Canaanite city. His capture signifies the defeat of Ai and the success of the Israelites' strategy.

3. Ai
A city in Canaan that the Israelites targeted after their initial defeat. Its eventual capture was part of the broader conquest of the Promised Land.

4. Israelites
The people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are in the process of taking possession of the land promised to them by God.

5. The Battle of Ai
A significant event where the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, successfully capture the city of Ai after a strategic ambush.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God’s Commands
The capture of Ai after the initial failure underscores the importance of following God's instructions precisely. Disobedience leads to defeat, while obedience brings victory.

God’s Sovereignty in Battle
The Israelites' victory at Ai demonstrates that success in spiritual battles comes from reliance on God's guidance and power.

Repentance and Restoration
After the sin of Achan and the initial defeat, the Israelites' repentance leads to restoration and victory, showing the power of turning back to God.

Strategic Planning and Faith
Joshua's strategic ambush at Ai teaches the balance between human planning and divine guidance. Faith does not negate the need for wise action.

Leadership and Accountability
Joshua's role in leading the Israelites and holding them accountable reflects the importance of godly leadership in achieving God's purposes.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the capture of the king of Ai illustrate the consequences of obedience versus disobedience to God’s commands?

2. In what ways does the account of Ai encourage us to seek God’s guidance in our personal battles and challenges?

3. How can the Israelites' experience at Ai teach us about the importance of repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness?

4. What lessons can we learn from Joshua’s leadership style that can be applied to our roles in our communities or workplaces?

5. How does the victory at Ai connect with the New Testament theme of being "more than conquerors" through Christ, and how can this perspective influence our daily lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 20:16-18
Provides the context for the Israelites' conquest strategy, as God commanded them to completely destroy certain cities to prevent idolatry.

Joshua 7
Details the initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, highlighting the importance of obedience to God.

1 Samuel 15:8-9
Similar to the capture of the king of Ai, King Saul captures Agag, king of the Amalekites, illustrating the theme of obedience and God's judgment.

Romans 8:37
Speaks to the theme of victory through God, paralleling the Israelites' eventual success at Ai.

Sermons

All the People At Work for Jesus	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Joshua 8:3-29
Joshua's Address to the Soldiers of the Expedition	F. G. Marchant.	Joshua 8:3-29
The Outstretched Spear	A. B. Mackay.	Joshua 8:3-29
The Victorious Retreat	T. De Witt Talmage.	Joshua 8:3-29
United Effort Needed	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Joshua 8:3-29
Variety of Divine Means	W. Seaton.	Joshua 8:3-29
Work for God Among the Heathen	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Joshua 8:3-29

People

Israelites, Joshua, Levites

Places

Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim

Topics

Ai, Alive, Bring, Captured, Caught, Joshua, Prisoner

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Joshua 8:22

5319 fugitives

Joshua 8:1-22

8131 guidance, results

Joshua 8:21-22

5214 attack

Library

The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

February the Seventeenth Blessings and Cursings
"He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings." --JOSHUA viii. 30-35. We are inclined to read only what pleases us, to hug the blessings and to ignore the warnings. We bask in the light, we close our eyes to the lightning. We recount the promises, we shut our ears to the rebukes. We love the passages which speak of our Master's gentleness, we turn away from those which reveal His severity. And all this is unwise, and therefore unhealthy. We become spiritually soft and anaemic. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Whether it is Lawful to Lay Ambushes in War?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unlawful to lay ambushes in war. For it is written (Dt. 16:20): "Thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." But ambushes, since they are a kind of deception, seem to pertain to injustice. Therefore it is unlawful to lay ambushes even in a just war. Objection 2: Further, ambushes and deception seem to be opposed to faithfulness even as lies are. But since we are bound to keep faith with all men, it is wrong to lie to anyone, as Augustine states (Contra …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Jesus in the Tomb.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, according to our manner of reckoning,[1] when Jesus expired. A Jewish law[2] forbade a corpse suspended on the cross to be left beyond the evening of the day of the execution. It is not probable that in the executions performed by the Romans this rule was observed; but as the next day was the Sabbath, and a Sabbath of peculiar solemnity, the Jews expressed to the Roman authorities[3] their desire that this holy day should not be profaned by such a spectacle.[4] …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Crucifixion.
Subdivision D. Jesus Found to Be Dead. His Body Buried and Guarded in the Tomb. ^A Matt. XXVII. 57-66; ^B Mark XV. 42-47; ^C Luke XXIII. 50-56; ^D John XIX. 31-42. ^d 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day ), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [According to rabbinical writing a few hours before the Sabbath were called the Preparation; …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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