3the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he’s showing respect for your father? Instead, haven’t his emissaries come in order to scout out, overthrow, and spy on the land?”

4So Hanun took David’s emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.19:4 Is 7:20; 20:4

5It was reported to David about his men, so he sent messengers to meet them, since the men were deeply humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back; then return.”

6When the Ammonites realized19:6–19 2Sm 10:6–19 they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent thirty-eight tons19:6 Lit 1,000 talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.19:6 1Ch 18:5,9

7They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped near Medeba.19:7 Nm 21:30; Jos 13:9,16; Is 15:2 The Ammonites also came together from their cities for the battle.

8David heard about this and sent Joab and all the elite troops.

9The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city while the kings who had come were in the field by themselves.

10When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some of Israel’s finest young men19:10 Lit Israel’s choice ones19:10 2Sm 6:1 and lined up in formation to engage the Arameans.

11He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai. They lined up in formation to engage the Ammonites.

12“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you’ll be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll help you.

13Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God.19:13 Jos 1:6 May the Lord’s will be done.”19:13 Lit the Lord do what is good in his eyes

14Joab and the people with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they fled before him.

15When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Joab’s brother Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab went to Jerusalem.

16When the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to summon the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates River. They were led by Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army.

17When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. He came up to the Arameans and lined up against them. When David lined up to engage them, they fought against him.

18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach, commander of the army.

19When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans were never willing to help the Ammonites again.