<p class="bodytext">All these were the descendants of Asher. They were the leaders of their families, the most capable men, who were warriors and served as head chiefs. There were 26,000 warriors listed in their genealogical records as capable of doing battle.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the desert. They were warriors who were trained for battle; they carried shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;So now, say this to my servant David: &#8216;This is what the <sc>Lordsc> who commands armies<n id="1" /> says: &#8220;I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd<n id="2" /> to make you a leader of my people Israel.

<p class="bodytext">When the Arameans realized they had been defeated by Israel, they sent for reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River,<n id="1" /> led by Shophach the commanding general of Hadadezer&#8217;s army.<n id="2" />

The Arameans fled before Israel. David killed 7,000<n id="1" /> Aramean charioteers and 40,000 infantrymen; he also killed Shophach<n id="2" /> the commanding general.

<p class="bodytext">In the spring, at the time when kings normally conduct wars,<n id="1" /> Joab led the army into battle and devastated the land of the Ammonites. He went and besieged Rabbah, while David stayed in Jerusalem. Joab defeated Rabbah and tore it down.