“And when they had set the people, euen all the hoste that was on the North of the city, and their liers in wait on the West of the citie: Ioshua went that night into the midst of the valley.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
8:13 Joshua went - Namely, accompanied with a small part of the host now mentioned, that is, very early in the morning, when it was yet dark, as is said in a like case, #John 20:1|, whence it is here called night, though it was early in the morning, as is said, #Jos 8:10|, for it seems most probable, that all was done in one night's space, and in this manner; Joshua sends away the ambush by night, ver.#3|, and lodgeth that night with twenty - five thousand men, ver.#9|, not far from the city. But not able or willing to sleep all night, he rises very early, ver.#10|, and numbers his men, which by the help of the several officers was quietly done, and so immediately leads them towards Ai; and while it was yet duskish or night, he goes into the midst of the valley, ver.#13|, and when the day dawns he is discovered by the king and people of Ai, who thereupon rose up early to fight with them, ver.#14|. The valley - Which was near the city, thereby to allure them forth.