2 Samuel 10

1 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.

Sometime after this, Nahash, the Ammonite king died and his son Hanun succeeded him.

2 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.

David said, “I will be kind to Hanun, son of Nahash, just as his father was kind to me.” So David sent representatives to take his condolences to Hanun regarding his father. But when they arrived in the country of the Ammonites,

3 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?

the Ammonite military leaders said to Hanun their king, “Do you really believe David sent condolences to you out of respect for your father? Isn't it more likely that David sent his representatives to scout out the city, spy on it, and then conquer it?”

4 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.

So Hanun had David's representatives detained, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut off their clothes at the buttocks, and then sent them back home.

5 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.

When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet them, because they were very embarrassed. The king instructed them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have re-grown, and then you can return.”

6 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.

When the Ammonites realized they had become like a bad smell to David, they sent a request to the Arameans and hired twenty thousand of their foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as one thousand men from the king of Maakah, and also twelve thousand men from Tob.

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

When David learned of this, he sent Joab and the entire army to confront them.

8 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.

The Ammonites set up their battle lines near the entrance to their town gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah took up positions by themselves in the open fields.

9 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;

Joab realized he would have to fight both in front of him and behind him, he chose some of Israel's best troops and he took charge of them to lead the attack the Arameans.

10 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.

He put the rest of the army under the command of Abishai, his brother. They were to attack the Ammonites.

11 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.

Joab told him, “If the Arameans are stronger than me, you come and help me. If the Ammonites are stronger than you, I'll come and help you.

12 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.

Be brave, and fight your best for our people and the towns of our God. May the Lord do what he sees as good!”

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

Joab attacked the Arameans with his forces and they ran away from him.

14 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.

When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had run away, they also ran away from Abishai, and retreated into the town. So Joab went back to Jerusalem after fighting the Ammonites.

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

As soon as the Arameans saw they had been defeated by the Israelites they reassembled their forces.

16 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.

Hadadezer sent for more Arameans to be brought from beyond the Euphrates River. They arrived in Helam under the leadership of Shobach, commander of Hadadezer's army.

17 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.

When this was reported to David, he assembled all Israel together. He crossed the Jordan and advanced on Helam. The Arameans positioned themselves in battle line against David and fought him.

18 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.

But the Aramean army ran away from the Israelites, and David killed 700 charioteers and 40,000 infantry. He also attacked Shobach, their army commander, and he died there.

19 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.

When all the kings allied with Hadadezer realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. As a result, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.