6. Now the Ammonites saw that they had become David’s enemies. So they hired 20,000 Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah. They also hired the king of Maacah with 1,000 men. And they hired 12,000 men from Tob.
7. David heard about this. So he sent Joab with the whole army of warriors.
8. The Ammonites came out and got ready for the battle. They stood at the city gate. The Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the men from Tob and Maacah were out in the field. They were standing away from the Ammonites.
9. Joab saw that there were enemies both in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the best men from the Israelites. He got them ready for battle against the Arameans.
10. Then Joab gave the other men to his brother Abishai to lead against the Ammonites.
11. Joab said to Abishai, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, come help me. If the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you.
12. Be strong. Let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. The Lord will do what he decides is right.”
13. Then Joab and his men attacked the Arameans, and they ran away.