20 When the men of Ai turned back and looked , behold , the smoke of the city ascended to the sky , and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 8:20

Commentary on Joshua 8:3-22

(Read Joshua 8:3-22)

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 never draw them back.