8. David heard what was happening, and he sent out Joab with his army.
9. The Ammonite troops marched to the entrance of the city and prepared for battle, while the Syrian troops took their positions in the open fields.
10. Joab saw that the enemy troops were lined up on both sides of him. So he picked some of the best Israelite soldiers to fight the Syrians.
11. Then he put his brother Abishai in command of the rest of the army and told them to fight against the Ammonites.
12. Joab told his brother, “If the Syrians are too much for me to handle, come and help me. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll come and help you.