What did the king see?
Malbim: He saw that Yisrael came close and entered the valley.
Why does it say "va'Ymaharu va'Yashkimu"?
Malbim: They did not wait for Yisrael to ascend from the valley and draw close in front of the gate, like the first time. They thought that just like the first time, they struck Yisrael on the descent [to the valley], also this time.
What is "la'Mo'ed"?
Rashi: It is the time of day that yesterday, [Anshei Ai] took counsel and decided to go out to fight then. They did Nichush (divination) to find the most propitious time.
Malbim: It is the time that Yehoshua picked on the third day [from when he sent the ambush] to wage war.
What is "ha'Aravah"?
Radak: It is the flat land in front of the city.
Malbim: It is Arvos Yericho, to the east. Because Yisrael were to the north and west, Anshei Ai needed to come close from the [east] side, lest they be surrounded from two sides.
