[1] After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in
his stead. [2] And David said, "I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of
Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me." So David sent by his servants
to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the
land of the Ammonites. [3] But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun
their lord, "Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that
he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to
search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?" [4] So Hanun took
David's servants, and shaved off half the beard of each, and cut off their
garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. [5] When it was
told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the
king said, "Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then
return." [6] When the Ammonites saw that they had become odious to David,
the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-re'hob, and the Syrians of
Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and the king of Ma'acah with a
thousand men, and the men of Tob, twelve thousand men. [7] And when David
heard of it, he sent Jo'ab and all the host of the mighty men. [8] And the
Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate;
and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Ma'acah, were
by themselves in the open country. [9] When Jo'ab saw that the battle was
set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the picked
men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Syrians; [10] the rest of his
men he put in the charge of Abi'shai his brother, and he arrayed them
against the Ammonites. [11] And he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for
me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are 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 may the LORD do what
seems good to him." [13] So Jo'ab and the people who were with him drew
near to battle against the Syrians; and they fled before him. [14] And when
the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before
Abi'shai, and entered the city. Then Jo'ab returned from fighting against
the Ammonites, and came to Jerusalem. [15] But when the Syrians saw that
they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. [16]
And Hadade'zer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the
Euphra'tes; and they came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army
of Hadade'zer at their head. [17] And when it was told David, he gathered
all Israel together, and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the
Syrians arrayed themselves against David, and fought with him. [18] And the
Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven
hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and wounded Shobach the
commander of their army, so that he died there. [19] And when all the kings
who were servants of Hadade'zer saw that they had been defeated by Israel,
they made peace with Israel, and became subject to them. So the Syrians
feared to help the Ammonites any more.
