1 Chronicles 19

1 Now it came to pass that Naas the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned is his stead.

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

2 And David said: I will shew kindness to Hanon the son of Naas: for his father did a favour to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him upon the death of his father. But when they were come into the land of the children of Ammon, to comfort Hanon,

Then said David—I will show lovingkindness unto Hanun, son of Nahash, —for his father shewed unto me lovingkindness. So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father, —and the servants of David came into the land of the sons of Ammon unto Hanun, to console him.

3 The princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanon: Thou thinkest perhaps that David to do honour to thy father hath sent comforters to thee: and thou dost not take notice, that his servants are come to thee to consider, and search, and spy out thy land.

Then said the rulers of the sons of Ammon unto Hanun, Doth David honour thy father in thine eyes, that he hath sent to thee comforters? Is it not, for the sake of exploring and overthrowing, and spying out the land, that his servants have come to thee?

4 Wherefore Hanon shaved the heads and beards of the servants of David, and cut away their garments from the buttocks to the feet, and sent them away.

So Hanun took the servants of David, and shaved them, and cut off their upper garments in the middle, as far as their parts of shame, —and let them go.

5 And when they were gone, they sent word to David, who sent to meet them (for they had suffered a great affront) and ordered them to stay at Jericho till their beards grew and then to return.

And people went and told David, concerning the men, so he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed, —and the king said—Tarry at Jericho, until your beards be grown, and then return.

6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had done an injury to David, Hanon and the rest of the people sent a thousand talents of silver, to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria Maacha, and out of Soba.

And, when the sons of Ammon saw, that they had made themselves odious with David, Hanun and the sons of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver, to hire for themselves—out of Mesopotamia, and out of Aram-maacah, and out of Zobah, —chariots, and horsemen.

7 And they hired two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maacha, with his people. And they came and camped over against Medaba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together out of their cities, and came to battle.

So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah, and his people, who came and pitched before Medeba, —and the sons of Ammon gathered themselves together out of their cities, and entered into the war.

8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of valiant men:

Now, when David heard, he sent Joab and all the army of heroes.

9 And the children of Ammon came out and put their army in array before the gate of the city: and the kings, that were come to their aid, stood apart in the field.

And the sons of Ammon came out, and set in array for the battle, at the opening of the city, —whereas, the kings who had come, were by themselves, in the field.

10 Wherefore Joab understanding that the battle was set against him before and behind, chose out the bravest men of all Israel, and marched against the Syrians,

So, when Joab saw that the battle confronted him, before and behind, —he chose out of all the choice in Israel, and set in array to meet the Syrians;

11 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abisai his brother, and they went against the children of Ammon.

and, the rest of the people, delivered he into the hand of Abishai his brother, —and they set in array, to meet the sons of Ammon.

12 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, I will help thee.

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

13 Be of good courage and let us behave ourselves manfully for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord will do that which is good in his sight.

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 let, Yahweh, do, what is good in his own eyes.

14 So Joab and the people that were with him, went against the Syrians to the battle: and he put them to flight.

Then did Joab, and all the people who were with him, draw near before the Syrians unto the battle, —and they fled from before him.

15 And the children of Ammon seeing that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled from Abisai his brother, and went into the city: and Joab also returned to Jerusalem.

And, when, the sons of Ammon, saw that the Syrians had fled, then fled, they also, from before Abishai his brother, and entered the city, —and Joab came to Jerusalem.

16 But the Syrians seeing that they had fallen before Israel, sent messengers, and brought to them the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Sophach, general of the army of Adarezer, was their leader.

And when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated before Israel, then sent they messengers, and brought out the Syrians who were Beyond the River, —with Shophach captain of the army of Hadarezer, before them.

17 And it was told David, and he gathered together all Israel, and passed the Jordan, and came upon them, and put his army in array against them, and they fought with him.

And it was told David, and he gathered together all Israel, and crossed the Jordan, and came unto them, and set in array against them, —and, when David had set in array against the Syrians for battle, they fought with him.

18 But the Syrian fled before Israel: and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and Sophach the general of the army.

And the Syrians fled from before Israel, and David slew of the Syrians [the men of] seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, —and, Shophach captain of the army, he put to death.

19 And when the servants of Adarezer saw themselves overcome by Israel, they went over to David, and served him: and Syria would not help the children of Ammon any more.

And, when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with David and served him, —neither would the Syrians help the sons of Ammon any more.