8. The Ammonites marched out and were deployed for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the men from Aram Zobah, Rehob, Ish-tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9. When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel’s best men and deployed them against the Arameans.
10. He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites.
11. Joab said, “If the Arameans start to overpower me, you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you, I will come to your rescue.
12. Be strong! Let’s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The Lord will do what he decides is best!”
13. So Joab and his men marched out to do battle with the Arameans, and they fled before him.
14. When the Ammonites saw the Arameans flee, they fled before his brother Abishai and went into the city. Joab withdrew from fighting the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.