David’s Messengers Disgraced
(1 Chronicles 19:1–9)

1Some time later, the king of the Ammonites (tribal) died and was succeeded by his son Hanun (gracious). 2And David (beloved) said, “I will show kindness to Hanun (gracious) son of Nahash (serpent), just as his father showed kindness to me.”

So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites (tribal), 3the princes of the Ammonites (tribal) said to Hanun (gracious) their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is (beloved) showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?”

4So Hanun (gracious) took David’s (beloved) servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.

5When this was reported to David (beloved), he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho (city of palms) until your⁺ beards have grown back, and then return.”

6When the Ammonites (tribal) realized that they had become a stench to David (beloved), they hired twenty thousand Aramean (exalted) foot soldiers from Beth-rehob (house of the street) and Zoba (station), as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah (oppression) and twelve thousand men from Tob (good).

7On hearing this, David (beloved) sent Joab (YHWH is father) and the entire army of mighty men. 8The Ammonites (tribal) marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans (exalted) of Zobah (station) and Rehob (broad place) and the men of Tob (good) and Maacah (oppression) were by themselves in the open country.

David Defeats Ammon and Aram
(1 Chronicles 19:10–19)

9When Joab (YHWH is father) saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel (he wrestles with God) and arrayed them against the Arameans (exalted). 10And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai (my father is a gift), who arrayed them against the Ammonites (tribal).

11“If the Arameans (exalted) are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites (tribal) are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. 12Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God {Elohenu}. May the LORD {YHWH} do what is good in His sight.”

13So Joab (YHWH is father) and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans (exalted), who fled before him. 14When the Ammonites (tribal) saw that the Arameans (exalted) had fled, they too fled before Abishai (my father is a gift), and they entered the city. So Joab (YHWH is father) returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem (city of peace).

15When the Arameans (exalted) saw that they had been defeated by Israel (he wrestles with God), they regrouped. 16Hadadezer (Hadad is help) sent messengers to bring more Arameans (exalted) from beyond the Euphrates \the River/,a and they came to Helam (stronghold) with Shobach (Shophach)b the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.

17When this was reported to David (beloved), he gathered all Israel (he wrestles with God), crossed the Jordan (flowing down), and went to Helam (stronghold). Then the Arameans (exalted) arrayed themselves against David and fought against him. 18But the Arameans (exalted) fled before Israel (he wrestles with God), and David (beloved) killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers [horsemen].c He also struck down Shobach (expansion) the commander of their army, who died there.

19When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer (Hadad is help) saw that they had been defeated by Israel (he wrestles with God), they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans (exalted) were afraid to help the Ammonites (tribal) anymore.