The Defeat of the Ammonites and Syrians

101 Now it happened afterwards e that the king of the Ammonites e died , and Hanun his son became king in his place . 2 Then David said , "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash , just as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent some of his servants to console him concerning his father . But when David's servants came to the land of the Ammonites e , 3 the princes of the Ammonites e said to Hanun their lord , "Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent consolers to you? Has David not sent his servants to you in order to search the city , to spy it out and overthrow it?" 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half of their beards , and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips , and sent them away . 5 When they told it to David , he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly humiliated . And the king said , "Stay at Jericho until your beards grow , and then return ."

6 Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David , the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah , 20,000 e foot soldiers , and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men , and the men of Tob with 12,000 e e men . 7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army , the mighty men . 8 The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city , while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field . 9 Now when Joab saw that the battle e was set against him in front and in the rear , he selected from all the choice men of Israel , and arrayed them against the Arameans . 10 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother , and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon . 11 He said , "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you. 12 " Be strong , and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God ; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight ." 13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Arameans , and they fled before e him. 14 When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans fled , they also fled before e Abishai and entered the city . Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem .

15 When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel , they gathered themselves together . 16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond e the River , and they came to Helam ; and Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer led them. 17 Now when it was told David , he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan , and came to Helam . And the Arameans arrayed themselves to meet David and fought against him. 18 But the Arameans fled before e Israel , and David killed e charioteers of the Arameans and 40,000 e horsemen and struck down Shobach the commander of their army , and he died there . 19 When all the kings , servants of Hadadezer , saw that they were defeated by Israel , they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Arameans feared to help the sons of Ammon anymore .