שופטים, פרק ז׳, פסוק א׳

The morning following the miracles of the fleece serves as the starting point for the military buildup ahead of the decisive battle against the Midianites. Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, rises early along with the people who are with him. Having just received clear signs from God, he is eager and fully prepared to take immediate action [אברבנאל].

The opposing forces position themselves face to face within the expanse of the Jezreel Valley [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Gideon and his fighters establish their camp in the south, beside the spring of Ein Harod. Across from them, the Midianite camp is stationed in the north, near the Hill of Moreh [מלבי"ם, מצודת דוד].

The name of this northern hill carries different interpretations. While some explain that it is simply the standard geographical name of the location [מצודת ציון], the primary approach among commentators is that the title holds significant strategic value. Rooted in concepts of seeing and directing, the hill functioned as a vital observation post. Because of its commanding height, lookouts could watch over the entire valley, using their vantage point to signal and guide those traveling below [רש"י, רד"ק].