2
Then David said, I will show mercy unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed mercy unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his slaves for his father. And David’s slaves came into the land of the sons of Ammon.
3
And the princes of the sons of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Does it appear unto thee that David has sent comforters unto thee to honour thy father? Has not David
rather sent his slaves unto thee to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?
4
Therefore, Hanun took David’s slaves and shaved off the 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 sons of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the sons 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 sons of Ammon came out and ordered their troops at the entering in of the gate, and the Syrians of Zoba and of Rehob and Ishtob and Maacah
were in order by themselves in the field.
9
When Joab saw that there were troops before and behind him, he chose from among the chosen
men of Israel and put
them in order against the Syrians.
10
Then he delivered the rest of the people into the hand of Abishai his brother that he might put
them in order against the sons of Ammon.
11
And he said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12
Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God; and let the LORD do that which seems good unto him.