The insult
Some time later the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king in his place. David said, I'll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me. So David sent some of his officials to express sympathy over his father's death. When they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun their lord, Do you really think David is honouring your father by sending these men to comfort you? Hasn't he sent them to look over the city, spy it out and prepare to overthrow it? So Hanun seized David's men, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut their robes off at the hips and sent them away. When David heard what had happened, he sent messengers to meet them because the men were deeply humiliated. The king told them, Stay at Jericho until your beards grow back, then come home.
And after this the king of the sons of Ammon died, and Hanun his son ruled in his place. Then David said: I'll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, the way his father showed kindness to me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants about his father. And David's servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon. And the leaders of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun their lord: Do you think David honours your father, that he's sent comforters to you? Hasn't David sent his servants to you to search the town and to spy it out and to overthrow it? So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half their beards and cut off their clothes in the middle, up by their hips, and sent them away. When they told David, he sent to meet them, because the men were badly ashamed. And the king said: Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back.
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. Then 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. And 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? Wherefore 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. When 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.
Some time later the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king in his place.
And after this the king of the sons of Ammon died, and Hanun his son ruled in his place.
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
David said, I'll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me. So David sent some of his officials to express sympathy over his father's death. When they arrived in the land of the Ammonites,
Then David said: I'll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, the way his father showed kindness to me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants about his father. And David's servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon.
Then 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.
the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun their lord, Do you really think David is honouring your father by sending these men to comfort you? Hasn't he sent them to look over the city, spy it out and prepare to overthrow it?
And the leaders of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun their lord: Do you think David honours your father, that he's sent comforters to you? Hasn't David sent his servants to you to search the town and to spy it out and to overthrow it?
And 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?
So Hanun seized David's men, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut their robes off at the hips and sent them away.
So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half their beards and cut off their clothes in the middle, up by their hips, and sent them away.
Wherefore 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.
When David heard what had happened, he sent messengers to meet them because the men were deeply humiliated. The king told them, Stay at Jericho until your beards grow back, then come home.
When they told David, he sent to meet them, because the men were badly ashamed. And the king said: Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back.
When 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.
War with Ammon and Aram
The Ammonites realised they'd made themselves stink in David's eyes. So they hired twenty thousand Syrian foot soldiers from Bethrehob and Zoba, a thousand men from King Maacah, and twelve thousand from Ishtob. When David heard about it, he sent Joab out with the entire army, including the elite troops. The Ammonites came out and formed their battle line at the city gate, while the Syrians from Zoba and Rehob, together with Ishtob and Maacah, took positions out in the open country. Joab saw that he was facing battle lines both in front and behind. He chose some of Israel's best troops and formed them up against the Syrians. He put the rest of the army under his brother Abishai and formed them up against the Ammonites. Joab said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, come and help me. If the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll come and help you. Be strong, and let's stand firm for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what seems right to him. Then Joab and the troops with him advanced against the Syrians, and the Syrians fled. When the Ammonites saw the Syrians running, they fled from Abishai and retreated into the city. So Joab withdrew from the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem. After the Syrians realised Israel had beaten them, they regrouped. Hadarezer sent for the Syrians from beyond the river. They came to Helam under Shobach, commander of Hadarezer's army. When David heard, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians formed up against David and fought him. But the Syrians fled before Israel. David killed the men of seven hundred Syrian chariots and forty thousand horsemen. He also struck their commander Shobach, who died there. When all the kings subject to Hadarezer saw that Israel had beaten them, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. After that, the Syrians were too afraid to help the Ammonites again.
And when the sons of Ammon saw they'd made a stink to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand men on foot, and of King Maakah a thousand men, and of Ish-Tob twelve thousand men. And when David heard about it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. And the sons of Ammon came out and drew up for battle at the entrance of the gate. And the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and Ish-Tob and Maakah were by themselves in the field. When Joab saw the front of the battle was against him in front and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel and drew up against the Arameans. And the rest of the people he handed over into the hand of Abishai his brother, so he could draw up against the sons of Ammon. And he said: If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you'll help me. But if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I'll come and help you. Be brave, and let's act like men for our people and for the towns of our God. And the Lord do what seems good to him. And Joab came near, and the people with him, to the battle against the Arameans. And they ran from him. And when the sons of Ammon saw the Arameans had run, then they ran too from in front of Abishai and went into the town. So Joab came back from the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem. And when the Arameans saw they were beaten in front of Israel, they gathered themselves together. And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the River. And they came to Helam. And Shobak the captain of the army of Hadadezer went in front of them. And when David was told, he gathered all Israel together and went over the Jordan and came to Helam. And the Arameans drew up against David and fought him. And the Arameans ran from Israel. And David killed the men of seven hundred chariots of the Arameans and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobak the captain of their army, who died there. And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw they were beaten in front of Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Arameans were frightened to help the sons of Ammon any more.
And 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. And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. And 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. When 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: And 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. And 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. Be 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. And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. And 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. And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. And 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. And 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. And 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. And 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.
The Ammonites realised they'd made themselves stink in David's eyes. So they hired twenty thousand Syrian foot soldiers from Bethrehob and Zoba, a thousand men from King Maacah, and twelve thousand from Ishtob.
And when the sons of Ammon saw they'd made a stink to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand men on foot, and of King Maakah a thousand men, and of Ish-Tob twelve thousand men.
And 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.
When David heard about it, he sent Joab out with the entire army, including the elite troops.
And when David heard about it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.
And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
The Ammonites came out and formed their battle line at the city gate, while the Syrians from Zoba and Rehob, together with Ishtob and Maacah, took positions out in the open country.
And the sons of Ammon came out and drew up for battle at the entrance of the gate. And the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and Ish-Tob and Maakah were by themselves in the field.
And 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.
Joab saw that he was facing battle lines both in front and behind. He chose some of Israel's best troops and formed them up against the Syrians.
When Joab saw the front of the battle was against him in front and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel and drew up against the Arameans.
When 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:
He put the rest of the army under his brother Abishai and formed them up against the Ammonites.
And the rest of the people he handed over into the hand of Abishai his brother, so he could draw up against the sons of Ammon.
And 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.
Joab said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, come and help me. If the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll come and help you.
And he said: If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you'll help me. But if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I'll come and help you.
And 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.
Be strong, and let's stand firm for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what seems right to him.
Be brave, and let's act like men for our people and for the towns of our God. And the Lord do what seems good to him.
Be 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.
Then Joab and the troops with him advanced against the Syrians, and the Syrians fled.
And Joab came near, and the people with him, to the battle against the Arameans. And they ran from him.
And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
When the Ammonites saw the Syrians running, they fled from Abishai and retreated into the city. So Joab withdrew from the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.
And when the sons of Ammon saw the Arameans had run, then they ran too from in front of Abishai and went into the town. So Joab came back from the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
And 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.
After the Syrians realised Israel had beaten them, they regrouped.
And when the Arameans saw they were beaten in front of Israel, they gathered themselves together.
And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
Hadarezer sent for the Syrians from beyond the river. They came to Helam under Shobach, commander of Hadarezer's army.
And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the River. And they came to Helam. And Shobak the captain of the army of Hadadezer went in front of them.
And 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.
When David heard, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians formed up against David and fought him.
And when David was told, he gathered all Israel together and went over the Jordan and came to Helam. And the Arameans drew up against David and fought him.
And 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.
But the Syrians fled before Israel. David killed the men of seven hundred Syrian chariots and forty thousand horsemen. He also struck their commander Shobach, who died there.
And the Arameans ran from Israel. And David killed the men of seven hundred chariots of the Arameans and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobak the captain of their army, who died there.
And 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.
When all the kings subject to Hadarezer saw that Israel had beaten them, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. After that, the Syrians were too afraid to help the Ammonites again.
And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw they were beaten in front of Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Arameans were frightened to help the sons of Ammon any more.
And 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.