1 Chronicles 19

1 Now it happened that Nahash, the king of the sons of Ammon, died, and his son reigned in his place.

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 act with mercy toward Hanun, the son of Nahash. For his father was gracious to me.” And so David sent messengers to console him over the death of his father. But when they had reached the land of the sons of Ammon, so that they might console Hanun,

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 leaders of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun: “Do you think that perhaps David has sent them to console you in order to honor your father? Have you not noticed that his servants came to you so that they might explore, and investigate, and examine your 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 And so Hanun shaved the heads and beards of the servants of David, and he cut away their tunics from the buttocks to the feet, and he 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 had gone, and had sent word to David, (for they had suffered a great disgrace, ) he sent to meet them, and he instructed them that they should remain at Jericho until their beards grew, and then they should 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 Then, when the sons of Ammon realized that they had committed an injury against David, both Hanun and the rest of the people sent one thousand talents of silver, so that they might hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, and from Syrian Maacah, and from Zobah.

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 thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah with his people. When these had arrived, they made camp in the region opposite Medeba. Also, the sons of Ammon, gathering from their cities, went to war.

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 had heard this, he sent Joab and the entire army of strong men.

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

9 And the sons of Ammon, going out, set up a battle line before the gate of the city. But the kings who had come to their aid stood separately 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 And so Joab, understanding the war to be set facing him and behind his back, chose the strongest men from all of Israel, and he went out 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 But the remaining portion of the people he placed under the hand of his brother Abishai. And they went out against the sons 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 prevail over me, then you shall be a help to me. But if the sons of Ammon prevail over you, I will be a safeguard for you.

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 strengthened, and let us act manfully on behalf of our people, and on behalf of the cities of our God. And the Lord will do what is good in his own 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 Therefore, Joab, and the people who were with him, went out to battle against the Syrians. 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 Then the sons of Ammon, seeing that the Syrians had fled, also themselves fled from Abishai, his brother, and they entered into the city. And now Joab 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 they brought the Syrians who were across the river. And Shophach, the leader of the military of Hadadezer, was their commander.

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 When this had been reported to David, he gathered together all of Israel, and he crossed the Jordan. And he rushed toward them. And he set up a battle line facing them. And they fought against 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 Syrians fled from Israel. And David killed of the Syrians seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand men on foot, and Shophach, the leader 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 Then the servants of Hadadezer, seeing themselves to be overwhelmed by Israel, crossed over to David, and they served him. And Syria was no longer willing to offer aid to the sons of Ammon.

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.