1
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammondied, and Hanun his sonreigned in his stead.
2
Then saidDavid, I will shewkindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his fathershewedkindness unto me. And Davidsent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servantscame into the land of the children of Ammon.
3
And the princes of the children of Ammonsaid unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sentcomforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, tosearch the city, and to spy it out, and tooverthrow it?
4
Wherefore Hanuntook David's servants, 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 greatlyashamed: and the kingsaid, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6
And when the children of Ammonsaw that they stank before David, the children of Ammonsent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twentythousandfootmen, and of kingMaacah a thousandmen, and of Ishtobtwelvethousandmen.
7
And when Davidheard of it, he sentJoab, and all the host of the mighty men.
8
And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battleinarray at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselvesin the field.
9
When Joabsaw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in arrayagainst the Syrians:
10
And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in arrayagainst 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 goodcourage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORDdo that which seemeth him good.
13
And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fledbefore him.
14
And when the children of Ammonsaw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also beforeAbishai, and entered into the city. So Joabreturned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15
And when the Syrianssaw that they were smittenbeforeIsrael, they gathered themselves together.
16
And Hadarezersent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17
And when it was toldDavid, he gathered all Israeltogether, and passed overJordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in arrayagainstDavid, and fought with him.
18
And the SyriansfledbeforeIsrael; and Davidslew the men of sevenhundredchariots of the Syrians, and fortythousandhorsemen, and smoteShobach the captain of their host, who died there.
19
And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezersaw that they were smittenbeforeIsrael, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syriansfeared to help the children of Ammon any more.