John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. For they will come out after us , etc.] Of which there could be no doubt, when they should see them run from them: till we have drawn them from the city ; some distance from it, that they could not return soon enough to save it from the ambush, or prevent their entrance into it, and burning it: for they will say, they will flee before us, as at the first ; they run away as they did before, and let us pursue them and smite them as we did then: therefore we will flee before them ; to draw them out of the city, and make your way easy to get into it, Ver. 7 . Then ye shall rise up from the ambush , etc.] When they should see a signal made, that in ( Joshua 8:18,19); and when their watch, they might set in a proper place, should see Israel flee, and the men of Ai at a distance from their city, pursuing, and give notice of it to the ambush: and seize upon the city ; enter into it, and take possession of it, its fortresses, and secure its passes: for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand ; Joshua expresses himself with great confidence, having the promise of God, and relying on it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 neve draw them back.
Original Hebrew ויצאו3318 אחרינו310 עד5704 התיקנו5423 אותם853 מן4480 העיר5892 כי3588 יאמרו559 נסים5127 לפנינו6440 כאשׁר834 בראשׁנה7223 ונסנו5127 לפניהם׃6440
