Achan's Sin and the Defeat at Ai

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After the great victory at Jericho, Joshua sent men to spy out Ai. The spies reported that the people of the city were few, so there was no need to send the entire army. Joshua only sent three thousand men up to attack, but the Israelites were defeated by the people of Ai, thirty-six men fell, and the whole army fled. Joshua tore his clothes and fell face down before the Ark of the Covenant to pray. God told him that someone among the Israelites had violated the command and secretly taken some of the devoted things from Jericho. The next day, by casting lots, Achan from the tribe of Judah was identified. Achan confessed that he had coveted a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold, and had hidden them under his tent. The Israelites stoned Achan and his family in the Valley of Achor and removed this sin, and the anger of the LORD turned away.