5
When the people told David what had happened to his officers, he sent messengers to meet them, because they were very ashamed. King David said, "Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back. Then come home."
6
The Ammonites knew that they had insulted David. So Hanun and the Ammonites sent about seventy-four thousand pounds of silver to hire chariots and chariot drivers from Northwest Mesopotamia, Aram Maacah, and Zobah.
7
The Ammonites hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah and his army. So they came and set up camp near the town of Medeba. The Ammonites themselves came out of their towns and got ready for battle.
8
When David heard about this, he sent Joab with the whole army.
9
The Ammonites came out and prepared for battle at the city gate. The kings who had come to help were out in the field by themselves.
10
Joab saw that there were enemies both in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the best soldiers of Israel and sent them out to fight the Arameans.
11
Joab put the rest of the army under the command of Abishai, his brother. Then they went out to fight the Ammonites.
12
Joab said to Abishai, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, you must help me. Or, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you.
13
Be strong. We must fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what he thinks is right."
14
Then Joab and the army with him went to attack the Arameans, and the Arameans ran away.
15
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were running away, they also ran away from Joab's brother Abishai and went back to their city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.