3
the princes of the Ammonites*said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David is honoring your fatherbecause he has sentconsolers to you? 1Has David not sent his servants to you in order to search the city, to spy it out and overthrow it?"
4
So HanuntookDavid'sservants and 2shavedoffhalf of their beards, and 3cutoff their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away.
5
When they told it to David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatlyhumiliated. And the kingsaid, "Stay at Jerichountil your beardsgrow, and then return."
6
Now when the sons of Ammonsaw that 4they had becomeodious to David, the sons of Ammonsent and 5hired the Arameans of 6Beth-rehob and the 7Arameans of Zobah, 20,000*footsoldiers, and the king of 8Maacah with 1,000men, and the men of Tob with 12,000**men.
7
When Davidheard of it, he sentJoab and all the army, the mightymen.
8
The sons of Ammoncame out and drew up in battle array 9at the entrance of the city, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of 10Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9
Now when Joabsaw that the battle* was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans.
10
But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon.
11
He said, "If the Arameans are toostrong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are toostrong for you, then I will come to help you.
12
"11Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and 12may the LORDdowhat is good in His sight."
13
So Joab and the peoplewho were with him drewnear to the battle against the Arameans, and 13they fledbefore* him.