| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Some time later, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place. | 1Some time later, King Nahash of Ammon died and his son succeeded him, |
| 2Then David said, "I'll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. However, when David's emissaries arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, | 2so David told himself, "I will be loyal to Nahash's son Hanun, since his father showed loyal, gracious love to me." So David sent a delegation to console him about his loss of his father. But when David's delegation arrived to visit Hanun in Ammonite territory to console him, |
| 3the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, "Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he's showing respect for your father? Instead, hasn't David sent his emissaries in order to scout out, overthrow, and spy on the land?" | 3the Ammonite officials asked Hanun, "Do you think that because David has sent a delegation of consolers to you that he is honoring your father? His delegation has arrived to search, overthrow, and scout the land, hasn't it?" |
| 4So Hanun took David's emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away. | 4So Hanun arrested David's delegation, shaved off their beards, cut off their clothes at the waist line, and sent them away in disgrace. |
| 5It was reported to David about his men, so he sent messengers to meet them, since the men were deeply humiliated. The king said, "Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back; then return." | 5After they had departed, David was informed about the men, so he sent word to them, since they had been deeply humiliated. He told them, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return." |
| 6When the Ammonites realized they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 38 tons of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. | 6When the Ammonites realized that they had created quite a stink with David, Hanun and the Ammonites spent 1,000 silver talents to hire chariots and mercenaries from Mesopotamia, from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah. |
| 7They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonites also came together from their cities for the battle. | 7They hired 32,000 chariots, along with the king of Maacah and his army, who arrived and encamped at Medeba. The Ammonites also were mustered and came out to battle from their home cities. |
| 8David heard about this and sent Joab and the entire army of warriors. | 8In response, David sent out Joab and his entire army of elite soldiers. |
| 9The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city while the kings who had come were in the field by themselves. | 9The Ammonites went out in battle formation in front of the entrance to the city while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open fields. |
| 10When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some men out of all the elite troops of Israel and lined up in battle formation to engage the Arameans. | 10When Joab observed that the battle lines were set up to oppose him both in front and behind, he appointed some special forces from Israel and arrayed them to oppose the Arameans, |
| 11He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, and they lined up in battle formation to engage the Ammonites." | 11putting the rest of his forces under command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them to oppose the Ammonites. |
| 12If the Arameans are too strong for me," Joab said, "then you'll be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll help you. | 12He told Abishai, "If the Arameans prove too strong for me, then you are to help me. If the Ammonites prove too strong for you, then I will help you. |
| 13Be strong! We must prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done." | 13Be strong, be courageous on behalf of our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what he thinks is best." |
| 14Joab and the people with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they fled before him. | 14So Joab and the soldiers who were with him attacked the Arameans in battle formation, and the Arameans retreated in front of him. |
| 15When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Joab's brother Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab went to Jerusalem. | 15When the Ammonites saw the Arameans retreating, they also retreated from Joab's brother Abishai back to the city and Joab left for Jerusalem. |
| 16When the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to summon the Arameans who were across the Euphrates. They were led by Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer's army. | 16After the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent for the Arameans who lived beyond the Euphrates River. Shophach was leading them as commander of Hadadezer's army. |
| 17When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. He came up to the Arameans and lined up in battle formation against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him. | 17When David learned this, he mustered all of Israel, crossed the Jordan, approached the Arameans, and drew up his forces against them. After David had assembled in battle array against the Arameans, the Arameans attacked him. |
| 18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 7,000 of their charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach, commander of the army. | 18The Arameans retreated from Israel, and David's forces killed 7,000 Aramean charioteers, 40,000 soldiers, and Shophach, the commander of their army. |
| 19When Hadadezer's subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans were never willing to help the Ammonites again. | 19When Hadadezer's officials saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sought terms of peace with David and became subservient to him. After this, the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore. |
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