יהושע, פרק י׳, פסוק ז׳

Responding to an urgent plea for assistance, Joshua leads a massive military force into battle. Although the historical account suggests that every single fighting man and mighty warrior joined the campaign, practical military strategy dictated otherwise.

Rather than emptying the base completely, Joshua actually left a portion of his troops behind. This reserve force was necessary to secure and protect the main Israelite camp while the primary army engaged the enemy on the front lines [ביאור שטיינזלץ].