4
Therefore Hanun took David's servants and shaved off one half of their beards and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5
When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Tarry at Jericho until your beards are grown, and then return."
6
And when the children of Ammon saw that they were a stench before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of King Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
7
And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men.
8
And the children of Ammon came out and set up in battle array at the entrance to the gate; and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9
When Joab saw that the front of the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose from all the choice men of Israel and put them in array against the Syrians;
10
and the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11
And he said, "If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12
Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people and for the cities of our God; and the LORD do that which seemeth to Him good."
13
And Joab drew nigh, and the people who were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians; and they fled before him.
14
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, then fled they also before Abishai and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.