1And it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place.
2And David said, "I will do kindness with Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father did kindness with me." And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And the servants of David came into the land of the sons of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
3And the princes of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, "Is David honoring your father in your eyes, that he has sent comforters to you? Is it not in order to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land that his servants have come to you?"
4And Hanun took the servants of David, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, as far as the buttocks, and sent them away.
5And men went and told David concerning the men (ish); and he sent to meet them, for the men (ish) were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Dwell at Jericho until your beards grow, and then return."
6And the sons of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious with David; and Hanun and the sons of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for them, from Aram-naharaim, and from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah, chariots and horsemen.
7And they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people; and they came and encamped before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered themselves from their cities, and came to the battle.
8And David heard, and sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men.
9And the sons of Ammon came out and set the battle in array at the opening of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
10And Joab saw that the face of the battle was against him in front and behind; and he chose from all the choice men of Israel, and set them in array to meet Aram.
11And the rest of the people he gave into the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set in array to meet the sons of Ammon.
12And he said, "If Aram is too strong for me, then you shall be for me for help; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will save (yasha) you.
13Be strong, and let us strengthen ourselves for our people, and for the cities of our God; and YHWH, that which is good in His eyes let Him do."
14And Joab and the people that were with him drew near before Aram to the battle; and they fled before him.
15And the sons of Ammon saw that Aram had fled, and they also fled before Abishai his brother, and came into the city. And Joab came to Jerusalem.
16And Aram saw that they were struck down before Israel, and they sent messengers, and brought out Aram that was beyond the River; and Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer was before them.
17And it was told to David; and he gathered all Israel, and crossed the Jordan, and came to them, and set in array against them. And David set in array to meet Aram in battle, and they fought with him.
18And Aram fled before Israel; and David slew of Aram seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand men (ish) on foot, and Shophach the captain of the army he put to death.
19And the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were struck down before Israel, and they made peace with David, and served (avad) him; and Aram was not willing to save (yasha) the sons of Ammon any more.