5
When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, Wait at Yericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6
When the children of `Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of `Ammon sent and hired the Aram of Beit-Rechov, and the Aram of Tzovah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Ma`akhah with one thousand men, and the men of Tov twelve thousand men.
7
When David heard of it, he sent Yo'av, and all the host of the mighty men.
8
The children of `Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Aram of Tzovah and of Rechov, and the men of Tov and Ma`akhah, were by themselves in the field.
9
Now when Yo'av saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Yisra'el, and put them in array against the Aram:
10
The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Avishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of `Ammon.
11
He said, If the Aram be too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of `Ammon be too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
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 seems him good.
13
So Yo'av and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Aram: and they fled before him.
14
When the children of `Ammon saw that the Aram were fled, they likewise fled before Avishai, and entered into the city. Then Yo'av returned from the children of `Ammon, and came to Yerushalayim.
15
When the Aram saw that they were put to the worse before Yisra'el, they gathered themselves together.