1 Chronicles 19

Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.

After all this, Nahash, the king of Ammon's children, passed away. His son took over his throne, continuing his legacy.

And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

David decided, "I'll show kindness to Hanun, Nahash's son, as his father was kind to me." He sent his messengers to console Hanun about his father's passing. Thus, David's servants journeyed to the Ammonite land to comfort Hanun.

But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?

The Ammonite leaders questioned Hanun, "Do you really believe David is showing respect to your father by sending these comforters? Aren't his servants here to scout out our land, spy on it, and overthrow it?"

Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.

In a cruel act, Hanun humiliated David's servants. He shaved them, cut their clothes exposing their backsides, and then heartlessly dismissed them.

Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

Some people went and informed David about the men's humiliating situation. David, deeply moved, sent for them. He told them, "Stay in Jericho until your dignity, symbolized by your beards, is restored. Then, you can come back."

And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

When the Ammonites realized they had angered David, Hanun and his people, filled with fear and regret, sent a huge amount of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, Syriamaachah, and Zobah for their defense.

So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

They enlisted 32,000 chariots, along with the king of Maachah and his followers, who set up camp near Medeba. Meanwhile, the Ammonites, rallying from their cities, prepared for war.

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

Upon hearing the news, David, filled with determination, swiftly dispatched Joab and his powerful army.

And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.

The Ammonites prepared for battle at the city gates, while the visiting kings stood alone in the open field.

Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.

When Joab realized he was surrounded by the enemy, he felt a surge of fear and urgency. He quickly selected the best warriors from Israel and prepared them to face the Syrians.

And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.

He entrusted the remaining people to his brother Abishai, who bravely prepared them to face the Ammonites.

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 help thee.

He expressed, "If the Syrians overpower me, you must come to my aid. But if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I'll be there to help you."

Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

Stay brave, let's stand strong for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do whatever He sees as good.

So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.

Joab and his companions bravely approached the Syrians, ready for battle. Overwhelmed by their courage, the Syrians retreated in fear.

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

When the Ammonites saw the Syrians running away, they too ran in fear before Abishai, Joab's brother, seeking refuge in the city. Afterwards, Joab arrived in Jerusalem.

And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

When the Syrians realized they were losing to Israel, they panicked and sent messages to call for reinforcements from their Syrian allies across the river. Leading them was Shophach, the commander of Hadarezer's army.

And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.

David received the news and rallied all of Israel. They crossed the Jordan, confronted their enemies, and prepared for battle. As David led his troops against the Syrians, they bravely fought back.

But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

Overwhelmed by fear, the Syrians retreated from Israel. David, with fierce determination, defeated seven thousand Syrian charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. In his victory, he also took the life of Shophach, their leading commander.

And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

When Hadarezer's servants realized they were losing to Israel, they surrendered to David, seeking peace. They pledged their service to him, and the Syrians stopped aiding the Ammonites.