9. The Ammonites marched out. They took up their battle positions at the entrance to their city. The kings who came to help them gathered their troops together in the open country.
10. Joab saw that there were lines of soldiers in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the best troops in Israel. He sent them to march out against the Arameans.
11. He put the rest of the men under the command of his brother Abishai. They were sent to march out against the Ammonites.
12. Joab said, "Suppose the Arameans are too strong for me. Then you must come and help me. But suppose the Ammonites are too strong for you. Then I'll come and help you.
13. Be strong. Let's be brave as we fight for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what he thinks is best."
14. Then Joab and the troops who were with him marched out to attack the Arameans. They ran away from him.
15. The Ammonites saw that the Arameans were running away. So they also ran away from Joab's brother Abishai. They went inside the city. Then Joab went back to Jerusalem.
16. The Arameans saw that they had been driven away by Israel. So they sent messengers to get some Arameans from east of the Euphrates River. The Arameans were under the command of Shophach. He was the commander of Hadadezer's army.