1 A nd it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

After this the king of the Ammonites died. His son Hanun became king in his place.

2 T hen said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

Then David said, “I will show kindness to Nahash’s son Hanun, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to comfort him in the loss of his father. But when David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites,

3 A nd the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

the Ammonite leaders said to their lord Hanun, “Do you think that David is honoring your father because he sent men to comfort you? Has he not sent his servants to you so they can spy out the city and destroy it?”

4 W herefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

So Hanun took David’s servants and cut off half the hair from their faces. Then he cut off half their clothing, almost up to the belt, and sent them away.

5 W hen they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

When David heard about it, he sent men to meet them, for they were very ashamed. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until the hair grows again on your faces. Then return.”

6 A nd when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become hated by David, they paid for the help of the Syrians of Beth-rehob and the Syrians of Zobah, 20, 000 foot soldiers. And they paid for the help of the king of Maacah with 1, 000 men, and 12, 000 men of Tob.

7 A nd when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

When David heard about it, he sent Joab and all the army of the powerful men.

8 A nd the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

The sons of Ammon came to the city gate and got ready for battle. And the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

9 W hen Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:

Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and behind him. So he chose all the best men of Israel and dressed them for battle against the Syrians.

10 A nd the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.

He put the rest of the people under the rule of his brother Abishai. He dressed them for battle against the sons of Ammon.

11 A nd he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

Joab said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then help me. But if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

12 B e of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.

Be strong. Let us show ourselves to have strength of heart because of our people and the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His eyes.”

13 A nd Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

So Joab and the people who were with him came near to battle against the Syrians, and they ran away from him.

14 A nd when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

When the sons of Ammon saw that the Syrians had run away, they ran away from Abishai and went into the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

15 A nd when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

When the Syrians saw that they had lost the battle against Israel, they gathered together.

16 A nd Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

Hadadezer sent men and brought out the Syrians who were on the other side of the Euphrates River, and they came to Helam. They were led by Shobach, the captain of Hadadezer’s army.

17 A nd when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

When it was told to David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians dressed themselves for battle against David, and fought against him.

18 A nd the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

But the Syrians ran away from Israel. David killed 700 drivers of the Syrian war-wagons, and 40, 000 horsemen. He killed Shobach, the captain of their army, who died there.

19 A nd when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

When all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had lost the battle against Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. The Syrians were afraid to help the sons of Ammon any more.