The Israelites had begun to exalt their own strength and to look with contempt upon their foes. An easy victory was expected, and three thousand men were thought sufficient to take 494 the place. These rushed to the attack without the assurance that God would be with them. They advanced nearly to the gate of the city, only to encounter the most determined resistance. Panic-stricken at the numbers and thorough preparation of their enemies, they fled in confusion down the steep descent. The Canaanites were in hot pursuit; "they chased them from before the gate, . . . and smote them in the going down." Though the loss was small as to numbers--but thirty-six men being slain--the defeat was disheartening to the whole congregation. "The hearts of the people melted, and became as water." This was the first time they had met the Canaanites in actual battle, and if put to flight before the defenders of this little town, what would be the result in the greater conflicts before them? Joshua looked upon their ill success as an expression of God's displeasure, and in distress and apprehension he "rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads."

Israelitterne var begyndt at stole på deres egen styrke og betragtede deres fjender med foragt. De ventede at vinde en let sejr og mente, at tre tusind mand var nok til at indtage byen. De skyndte sig at gå til angreb uden at forvisse sig om, at Gud var med dem. De marcherede næsten helt hen til byporten, men mødte hårdnakket modstand. De blev grebet af rædsel over fjendernes antal og grundige forberedelse og flygtede i vild uorden ned ad den stejle skråning. De blev skarpt forfulgt af kanaanæerne, som "forfulgte dem uden for porten og huggede dem ned på skråningen". Selv om der ikke var faldet ret mange soldater - der var kun blevet dræbt seks og tredive mand - tabte hele menigheden modet på grund af nederlaget. "Da sank folkets mod og blev til vand." Det var første gang, de havde været i direkte kamp med kanaanæerne, og hvis de blev slået på flugt af en så lille bys forsvarere, hvad ville der så ikke ske under de store slag, de skulle udkæmpe senere?