23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
23 But they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.
23 But the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him near to Joshua.
23 Except for the king of Ai; they took him alive and brought him to Joshua.
23 But the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
23 Only the king of Ai was taken alive and brought to Joshua.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 8:23
Commentary on Joshua 8:23-29
(Read Joshua 8:23-29)
God, the righteous Judge, had sentenced the Canaanites for their wickedness; the Israelites only executed his doom. None of their conduct can be drawn into an example for others. Especial reason no doubt there was for this severity to the king of Ai; it is likely he had been notoriously wicked and vile, and a blasphemer of the God of Israel.