7. When David heard this, he sent Joab with the entire army of warriors.
8. The Ammonites marched out and formed a battle line at the entrance to the city. The Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the soldiers from Tob and Maacah remained in the countryside.
9. When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel’s finest warriors and deployed them to meet the Arameans.
10. The rest of the army Joab placed under the command of his brother Abishai. When they took up their positions to meet the Ammonites, Joab said,
11. "If the Arameans prove too strong for me, you must help me, and if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I’ll help you.
12. Be brave! We must be courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his eyes."