2 Samuel 10

1 It happened after this, that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.

Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun.

2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David's servants came into the land of the people of Ammon.

And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites,

3 But the leaders of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn't David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?"

the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?”

4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.

5 When David was told, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."

When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

6 When the people of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob, and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.

When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.

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

On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men.

8 The people of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Arameans:

When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans.

10 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the people of Ammon.

And he placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.

11 He said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.

12 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the LORD do that which seems good to him."

Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. 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 him.

So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him.

14 When the people of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

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

When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped.

16 Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

Hadadezer sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, and they came to Helam with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.

17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Arameans set themselves in array against David, and fought with him,

When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him.

18 but fled before Israel; and David killed of the Arameans seven hundred charioteers, and forty thousand foot soldiers, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.

19 When all the vassals of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Arameans were afraid to give further aid to the Ammonites.

When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.