Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 And it came to pass after this that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
1
Later the king of Ammon died, and his son Hanun became king in his place.
2 Then said David, "I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me." And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
2
David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun as his father Nahash showed me kindness." So David sent his servants to comfort Hanun after his father's [death]. But when David's servants entered Ammonite territory,
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, "Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? Hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?"
3
the Ammonite princes asked their master Hanun, "Do you think David is honoring your father because he sent men to comfort you? Hasn't David sent his men to explore the city, spy on it, and destroy it?"
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.
4
So Hanun took David's men, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut off their clothes from the waist down, 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."
5
After David was told [what had happened], he sent [someone] to meet them because they were deeply humiliated. The king said to them, "Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return [to Jerusalem]."
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.
6
The Ammonites realized that they had made themselves offensive to David. So they hired the Arameans from Beth Rehob and Zobah (20,000 foot soldiers), [the army of] the king of Maacah (1,000 men), and the men of Tob (12,000 men).
7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men.
7
After David heard about this, he sent Joab and all the elite troops.
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.
8
The Ammonites formed a battle line at the entrance of the [city] gate, while the Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the men from Tob and Maacah remained by themselves in the open country.
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;
9
When Joab saw he was under attack in front and behind, he took the select troops of Israel and organized them for combat against the Arameans.
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.
10
He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the troops. Abishai organized them for combat against the Ammonites.
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.
11
Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for my [troops], be ready to help me. And if the Ammonites are too strong for your [troops], I'll come to 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 seemeth to Him good."
12
Be strong! Let's prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God, and the LORD will do what he considers right."
13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people who were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians; and they fled before him.
13
Then Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, and the Arameans fled.
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.
14
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, the Ammonites fled from Abishai and went into the city. So Joab stopped his campaign against the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
15
Realizing that Israel had defeated them, the Arameans reassembled [their troops].
16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the river, and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadadezer went before them.
16
Hadadezer sent [messengers] to get Arameans from beyond the Euphrates River. The Arameans came to Helam with Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer's army, leading them.
17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and passed over the Jordan and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
17
When David was told [about this], he assembled Israel's army, crossed the Jordan River, and came to Helam. The Arameans formed a battle line against David's [troops] and fought him.
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
18
The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed 700 chariot drivers and 40,000 horsemen. David struck Shobach dead.
19 And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
19
When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that Israel had defeated them, they made peace with Israel and became their subjects. And the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.