According to the Bible, after the Exodus from Egypt (thought by some scholars to have been c. 1450 BCE and by many other scholars to have never taken place), the Israelites wandered into Canaan, seeking a home that they could make their own. After two fierce battles, they gained control. Campaign The Israelites attacked the Canaanites. The ensuing Battle of Ai was an Israelite victory. Soon, a coalition of Canaanites and other northern city-states of Canaan sent a force to halt the Israelite invasions of their country. However, an Israelite counterattack caught their enemies by surprise and routed them. Afterwards, the Israelites became established in their "Promised Land".