4. So Hanun seized the servants of David, shaved half of the beard of each, cut their robes in half so that they were exposed, and sent them away.
5. When they reported what had happened to David, he sent messengers to meet them, because the men were severely ashamed. The king instructed them, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have regrown, then return.”
6. When the Ammonites saw that they had become odious to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and from the king of Maakah, one thousand men, and from Tob, twelve thousand men.
7. When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army with the warriors.
8. The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of the gate. But the Arameans of Zobah, Rehob, Tob, and Maakah were by themselves in the open field.
9. When Joab saw that the battlefronts were both before and behind him, he selected some from the best men in Israel and lined them up opposite Aram.
10. The remainder of the people he placed under the charge of Abishai his brother, and lined them up opposite the Ammonites.
11. Then he said, “If Aram starts to prevail over me, you shall help me, but if the Ammonites begin to prevail over you, then I will come to help you.
12. Be strong and let us fight with resolve for the sake of our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord do what seems good to Him.”