1Now it happenedafterwardsthat the kingof the Ammonitesdied,and Hanunhis sonbecamekingin his place.2Then Davidsaid,"I will showkindnessto Hanunthe sonof Nahash,justas his fathershowedkindnessto me." So Davidsentsomeof his servantsto consolehim concerninghis father.But when David'sservantscameto the landof the Ammonites,3the princesof the Ammonitessaidto Hanuntheir lord,"Do you thinkthat Davidis honoringyour fatherbecausehe has sentconsolersto you? Has Davidnot senthis servantsto you in orderto searchthe city,to spyit out and overthrowit?"4So HanuntookDavid'sservantsand shavedoffhalfof their beards,and cutofftheir garmentsin the middleas faras their hips,and sentthem away.5When they told[it] to David,he sentto meetthem, for the menwere greatlyhumiliated.And the kingsaid,"Stayat Jerichountilyour beardsgrow,and [then] return."
6Now when the sonsof Ammonsawthat they had becomeodiousto David,the sonsof Ammonsentand hiredthe Arameansof Beth-rehoband the Arameansof Zobah,20000footsoldiers,and the kingof Maacahwith 1,000men,and the menof Tobwith 12,000men.7When Davidheard[of it], he sentJoaband allthe army,the mightymen.8The sonsof Ammoncameout and drewup in battlearray at the entranceof the city,while the Arameansof Zobahand of Rehoband the menof Toband Maacah[were] by themselvesin the field.
9Now when Joabsawthat the battlewas set againsthim in frontand in the rear,he selectedfrom allthe choicemen of Israel,and arrayed[them] againstthe Arameans.10But the remainderof the peoplehe placedin the handof Abishaihis brother,and he arrayed[them] againstthe sonsof Ammon.11He said,"Ifthe Arameansare toostrongfor me, then you shall helpme, but ifthe sonsof Ammonare toostrongfor you, then I will cometo helpyou.12"Be strong,and let us showourselves courageousfor the sakeof our peopleand for the citiesof our God;and may the LORDdowhatis goodin His sight."13So Joaband the peoplewhowere with him drewnearto the battleagainst the Arameans,and they fledbeforehim.14When the sonsof Ammonsawthat the Arameansfled,they [also] fledbeforeAbishaiand enteredthe city.Then Joabreturnedfrom [fighting] againstthe sonsof Ammonand cameto Jerusalem.
15When the Arameanssawthat they had been defeatedby Israel,they gatheredthemselves together.16And Hadadezersentand broughtout the Arameanswhowere beyondthe River,and they cameto Helam;and Shobachthe commanderof the armyof Hadadezerledthem.17Now when it was toldDavid,he gatheredallIsraeltogether and crossedthe Jordan,and cameto Helam.And the Arameansarrayedthemselves to meetDavidand foughtagainsthim.18But the ArameansfledbeforeIsrael,and Davidkilled700charioteersof the Arameansand 40,000horsemenand struckdownShobachthe commanderof their army,and he diedthere.19When allthe kings,servantsof Hadadezer,sawthat they were defeatedby Israel,they madepeacewith Israeland servedthem. So the Arameansfearedto helpthe sonsof Ammonanymore.
