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.
14. The Ammonites saw that the Arameans were running away. So they ran away from Abishai and went back to their city. So Joab returned from the battle with the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.
15. The Arameans saw that the Israelites had defeated them. So they came together into one big army.
16. Hadadezer sent messengers to bring the Arameans who lived on the other side of the Euphrates River. These Arameans went to Helam. Their leader was Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army.