the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
"Joshua was the man destined by God to carry out his program.  He is not to be blamed for the severity with which he acted.  Not only did he show exemplary faithfulness to the Divine command, but he also remained true to his given word in the case of Rahab and the Gibeonites, and without partiality applied the curse to Achan, one of Israel's own."[40]