Joshua 8:18

“And the Lord said unto Joshua, stretch out the spear that [is] in thy hand towards Ai, etc.] On which was a flag, as Abarbinel and Ben Melech think; and which is not improbable, and served for a signal for the ambush to come out and seize the city, as both they and Jarchi observe, as well as a signal also to the army of Israel to prepare to turn and face about, and engage with the enemy; though they did not actually do this until they saw the smoke of the city, (<060821>Joshua 8:21); for I will give it into thine hand; of which the stretching out of his spear seems also to be a confirming sign to him, and which he kept stretched out until all the inhabitants of Ai were destroyed,…”

“Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city--The uplifted spear had probably a flag, or streamer on it, to render it the more conspicuous from the height where he stood. At the sight of this understood signal the ambush nearest the city, informed by their scouts, made a sudden rush and took possession of the city, telegraphing to their brethren by raising a smoke from the walls. Upon seeing this, the main body, who had been reigning a flight, turned round at the head of the pass upon their pursuers, while the twenty-five thousand issuing from their ambuscade, fell back upon their rear. The Ai-ites surprised, looked back, and found their situation now desperate.”

“No doubt Joshua had ascended the heights, most likely those to the north of the valley, so as to separate himself from the flying Israelites on the lower ground, and to be visible to the men in ambush behind the city. He now, at the command of God, gives the appointed signal to the ambush. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Stretch out the spear - This was, either, for a sign to his host present with him, to stop their flight, and make head against the pursuers: or, for a signal to the liers in wait, or, as a token of God's presence and assistance with them, and of their victory. Joshua 8:19”

“8:18-19 Israel succeeded in this second attack on Ai because this time God directed the battle.”

“Stretch: Jos 8:7, Jos 8:26; Exo 8:5, Exo 17:11; Job 15:25 the spear: The word keedon is rendered clypeum, a shield or buckler, by the Vulgate but the LXX translate it γαισον, which Suidas says, signifies a kind of weapon, οιον δορατος, like a spear. It may denote a short spear, javelin, or lance; for it is evident that it signifies neither the larger spear nor the shield, because it is distinguished from both. Sa1 17:6, Sa1 17:41, Sa1 17:45; Job 39:23; Joshua may have had a flag or ensign at the end of the spear, which might be seen at a considerable distance when extended, which was the sign agreed upon by him and the ambush. Joshua 8:19”