Joshua 8:14

His people — Namely, all his men of war, for the rest were left in Ai, Joshua 8:16. At a time appointed — At a certain hour agreed upon between the king and people of Ai, and of Bethel too, who were their confederates in this enterprize, as it may seem from Joshua 8:17. Possibly they might appoint the same hour of the day on which they had fought against Israel with good success, looking upon it as a lucky hour. Before the plain — That is, towards or in sight of that plain or valley in which the Israelites were, that so they might put themselves in battle — array. Against him — The former success having made him secure, as is usual in such cases; God also blinding his mind, and infatuating him, as he useth to do with those whom he intends to destroy.