1 Chronicles 19

War with the Ammonites

1 Some time later, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place.

2 Then 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, 3 the 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?"

4 So Hanun took David's emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.

5 It 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."
6 When 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.

7 They 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.
8 David heard about this and sent Joab and the entire army of warriors. 9 The 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. 10 When 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.

11 He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, and they lined up in battle formation to engage the Ammonites.
12 "If 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.

13 Be strong! We must prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the Lord's will be done."
14 Joab and the people with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they fled before him.

15 When 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.

16 When 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.
17 When 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. 18 But 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.

19 When 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.

1 Chronicles 19

David’s Campaign against the Ammonites

1 Later King Nahash of the Ammonites died and his son succeeded him.2 David said, “I will express my loyaltyt to Hanun son of Nahash, for his father was loyalt to me.” So David sent messengers to express his sympathy over his father’s death.t When David’s servants entered Ammonite territory to visit Hanun and express the king’s sympathy,t3 the Ammonite officials said to Hanun, “Do you really think David is trying to honor your father by sending these messengers to express his sympathy?t No, his servants have come to you so they can get information and spy out the land!”s4 So Hanun seized David’s servants and shaved their beards off.t He cut off the lower part of their robes so that their buttocks were exposedt and then sent them away.

5 Messengerst came and told David what had happened to the men, so he summoned them, for the men were thoroughly humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jerichos until your beards grow again; then you may come back.”
6 When the Ammonites realized that David was disgusted with them,t Hanun and the Ammonites sent 1,000 talentst of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maacah, and Zobah.t

7 They hired 32,000 chariots, along with the king of Maacah and his army, who came and camped in front of Medeba. The Ammonites also assembled from their cities and marched out to do battle.
8 When David heard the news, he sent Joab and the entire army to meet them.t9 The Ammonites marched out and were deployed for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.10 When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel’s best men and deployed them against the Arameans.st11 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites.12 Joabt said, “If the Arameans start to overpower me,t you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you,t I will come to your rescue.13 Be strong! Let’s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The Lord will do what he decides is best!”t14 So Joab and his ment marched toward the Arameans to do battle, and they fled before him.

15 When the Ammonites saw the Arameans flee, they fled before Joab’st brother Abishai and withdrew into the city. Joab went back to Jerusalem.s
16 When the Arameans realized they had been defeated by Israel, they sent for reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River,t led by Shophach the commanding general of Hadadezer’s army.t17 When David was informed, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan River,t and marched against them.st David deployed his army against the Arameans for battle and they fought against him.t18 The Arameans fled before Israel. David killed 7,000s Aramean charioteers and 40,000 infantrymen; he also killed Shophacht the commanding general.

19 When Hadadezer’s subjects saw they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. The Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.