2
And Davidsaid, I will shewkindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his fathershewedkindness to me. And Davidsentmessengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of Davidcame into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
3
But the princes of the children of Ammonsaid to Hanun,Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sentcomforters unto thee? are not his servantscome unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?
5
Then there went certain, and toldDavid how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatlyashamed. And the kingsaid, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6
And when the children of Ammonsaw that they had made themselves odious to David,Hanun and the children of Ammonsent a thousandtalents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah*, and out of Zobah.
7
So they hiredthirty and twothousandchariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitchedbeforeMedeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
9
And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.
10
Now when Joabsaw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in arrayagainst the Syrians.
12
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 help thee.
13
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORDdo that which is good in his sight.
15
And when the children of Ammonsaw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fledbeforeAbishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joabcame to Jerusalem.
16
And when the Syrianssaw that they were put to the worsebeforeIsrael, they sentmessengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17
And it was toldDavid; and he gathered all Israel, and passed overJordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in arrayagainst the Syrians, they fought with him.
18
But the SyriansfledbeforeIsrael; and Davidslew of the Syriansseventhousand men which fought in chariots, and fortythousandfootmen*, and killedShophach the captain of the host.
19
And when the servants of Hadarezersaw that they were put to the worsebeforeIsrael, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrianshelp the children of Ammon any more.