2 Samuel 10:7-12

10:7 When David heard the news, he sent Joab and the entire army to meet them. ¹  10:8 The Ammonites marched out and were deployed for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the men from Aram Zobah, Rehob, Ish-tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.

10:9 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  10:10 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army ³  and they were deployed ⁴  against the Ammonites. 10:11 Joab ⁵  said, “If the Arameans start to overpower me, ⁶  you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you, ⁷  I will come to your rescue. 10:12 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!” ⁸ 

[10:7]  ¹ tn The words “the news” and “to meet them” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarification.

[10:9]  ² tn Heb “and Joab saw that the face of the battle was to him before and behind and he chose from all the best in Israel and arranged to meet Aram.”

[10:10]  ³ tn Heb “people.”

[10:10]  ⁴ tn Heb “he arranged.”

[10:11]  ⁴ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Joab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[10:11]  ⁵ tn Heb “if Aram is stronger than me.”

[10:11]  ⁶ tn Heb “if the sons of Ammon are stronger than you.”

[10:12]  ⁵ tn Heb “and the Lord will do what is good in his eyes.”