1 Chronicles 19:8-13

19:8 When David heard the news, he sent Joab and the entire army to meet them. ¹  19:9 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. 19:10 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. ²  19:11 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites. 19:12 Joab ³  said, “If the Arameans start to overpower me, ⁴  you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you, ⁵  I will come to your rescue. 19:13 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!” ⁶ 

[19:8]  ¹ tn The words “the news” and “to meet them” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.

[19:10]  ² tc The parallel text of 2 Sam 10:10 has “the Ammonites” in place of “the Arameans” here.

[19:12]  ³ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Joab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[19:12]  ⁴ tn Heb “if Aram is stronger than me.”

[19:12]  ⁵ tn Heb “if the sons of Ammon are stronger than you.”

[19:13]  ⁴ tn Heb “and the Lord, what is good in his eyes, he will do.”