2 Samuel 10

1 It came about later that the king of the people of Ammon died, and that Hanun his son became king in his place.

And it came to pass, after this, that the king of the sons of Ammon died, —and that Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

2 David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent his servants to comfort Hanun concerning his father. His servants entered the land of the people of Ammon.

Then said David—I will shew lovingkindness unto Hanun son of Nahash, as his father shewed, unto me, lovingkindness. So David sent to comfort him, by the hand of his servants, as to his father, —and the servants of David came into the land of the sons of Ammon.

3 But the leaders of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their master, “Do you really think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you? Has not David sent his servants to you to look at the city, to spy it out, in order to overthrow it?”

Then said the rulers of the sons of Ammon unto Hanun their lord—Is David honouring thy father, in thine eyes, that he hath sent unto thee comforters? Is it not, for the sake of exploring the city, and spying it out, and overthrowing it, that David hath sent his servants unto thee?

4 So Hanun took David's servants, shaved off half their beards, cut off their garments up to their buttocks, and sent them away.

Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off half their beards, and cut off their upper garments in the middle, as far as their buttocks, —and let them go.

5 When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

And, when they told David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed, —and the king said—Tarry at Jericho, until your beards be grown, then shall ye return.

6 When the people of Ammon saw that they had become a stench to David, the people of Ammon sent messengers and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob and Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob with twelve thousand men.

And, when the sons of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious with David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba—twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah—a thousand men, and men of Tob—twelve thousand men.

7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of soldiers.

And, when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of heroes,

8 The Ammonites came out and formed a line of battle at the entrance to their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, stood by themselves in the open fields.

And the sons of Ammon came out, and set in array for battle, at the entrance of the gate, —whereas, the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and of Maacah, were by themselves, in the field.

9 When Joab saw the battle lines facing him both in front and behind, he chose some of Israel's best fighters and arranged them against the Arameans.

And, when Joab saw that the front of the battle was towards him, before and behind, he chose out of all the chosen men of Israel, and set them in array against the Syrians;

10 The rest of his people he put into the hand of Abishai his brother, and he set them out in position to fight against the army of Ammon.

while, the rest of the people, he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, —and set [them] in array against the sons of Ammon.

11 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me. But if the army of Ammon is too strong for you, then I will come and rescue you.

And he said—If the Syrians be too strong for me, then shalt thou become my deliverance, —but, if, the sons of Ammon, be too strong for thee, then will I come with deliverance to thee.

12 Be strong, and let us show ourselves to be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, for Yahweh will do what is good for his purpose.”

Be strong, and let us put forth our strength, for the sake of our people, and for the sake of the cities of our God, —and, Yahweh, do what is good in his own eyes.

13 So Joab and the soldiers of his army advanced to the battle against the Arameans, who were forced to flee before the army of Israel.

And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, to fight against the Syrians, —and they fled before him.

14 When the army of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Abishai and went back into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went back to Jerusalem.

And, when, the sons of Ammon, saw that the Syrians had fled, then fled they before Abishai, and entered the city, —so Joab returned from the sons of Ammon, and entered Jerusalem.

15 When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together again.

And, when the Syrians saw that they were defeated before Israel, they gathered themselves together;

16 Then Hadarezer sent for Aramean troops from beyond the Euphrates River. They came to Helam, and Shobak, the commander of Hadarezer's army, went before them.

and Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the River, and they entered Helam, —Shobach the prince of the host of Hadadezer being before them.

17 When David was told this, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and arrived at Helam. The Arameans arranged themselves in battle lines against David and fought him.

And, when it was told David, he gathered together all Israel, and passed over the Jordan, and entered Helam, —and the Syrians set themselves in array to meet David, and fought with him.

18 The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their men in chariots and forty thousand horsemen. Shobak the commander of their army was wounded and died there.

Then fled the Syrians before Israel, and David slew of the Syrians seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, —Shobach also, prince of their host, smote he, that he died, there.

19 When all the kings who were servants of Hadarezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became their subjects. So the Arameans were afraid to help the people of Ammon anymore.

And, when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them, —and the Syrians feared to give help any more unto the sons of Ammon.