Ver. 4, 5. And they fled, &c.— The garrison of Ai, observing the Israelites to be so few in number, made a sally. The latter, left by God, immediately lost courage, took flight, and left thirty-six of their comrades on the spot. The enemy pursued and beat them as far as to Shebarim. Some think this was a place betwixt Ai and Jericho; for schebarim in the Hebrew signifies, people defeated, broken, routed; while others, following the LXX, and taking the word in an appellative sense, translate, they pursued them from before the gate, till they were entirely routed, &c. It is certain, that the runaways carried the alarm into the camp of Israel, and the consternation there was general. The historian describes it in very strong and lively terms.
REFLECTIONS.—The last chapter left Israel triumphant, and Joshua's name great and glorious: this begins with a dire But, which stops the current of their victories, and casts them into the deepest distress; the cause of which always is sin. I. We have an account of the sin committed; Achan the son of Carmi, of the house of Judah, had transgressed the divine command, and secretly taken of the devoted things, and thereby had brought the host under the displeasure of God. One sinner thus destroys much good; the community he belonged to are defiled by him, and suffer for him. Note; (1.) Covetousness is among the most rooted evil tempers of the fallen mind. (2.) We must separate ourselves from sinners, if we would not share their judgments. 2. The effects of God's displeasure quickly appeared: though the sin was committed so secretly that no eye saw him, it was not hid from God; and he takes such ways to bring the crime to light, as shall shew his just indignation against it. Let not the guilty think of being concealed or excused; God will find them out, and visit them to their confusion. Confident now of success, those who were sent to view the city of Ai report the conquest easy, and that the people need not to be fatigued by a general march: a detached party of two or three thousand men being thought sufficient, these are accordingly sent; but, seized with a panic at the gate of the city, they fly before their pursuers, and, with the loss of six and thirty men, escape to the camp, and fill it with terror and confusion. God had evidently forsaken them; and, though the loss was small, justly were they alarmed at a defeat which portended more dreadful consequences. Note; (1.) Though the greatest difficulties vanish when God is our helper, the least attempt will prevail the moment he leaves us to ourselves. (2.) Whenever we provoke God, we may expect to suffer for it. (3.) Fear and terror of conscience are the natural consequences of guilt, and the present wages of sin.