Before the gate of the city. — Literally, in the outlet of the city. Samuel has “in the outlet of the gate.” The city appears to have been Medeba (1 Chronicles 19:7).
And the kings that were come. — Samuel repeats the names: “And Aram-zobah and Rehob, and the men of Tôb and Maachah.”
Were. — Rather, put the battle in array (to be supplied from the former sentence).
In the field. — In the open country, or plain (mîshôr) of Medeba (Joshua 13:9; Joshua 13:16), where there was room for the movements of cavalry and chariots.