2 Samuel 10

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

Following these events, the Ammonite king passed away. His son, Hanun, filled his father's shoes, becoming the new king.

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.

David decided, "I will extend the same kindness to Hanun, Nahash's son, as his father did to me." So, he sent his servants to console him after his father's death. They traveled to the land of Ammon, where Hanun's people lived.

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?

The leaders of the Ammonite children questioned their ruler, Hanun, "Do you really believe David is showing respect to your father by sending these comforters? Isn't it more likely that David has sent his men to scout our city, with plans to destroy 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.

In a cruel act, Hanun humiliated David's servants. He shaved half their beards and cut their clothes short, exposing them, before heartlessly sending 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.

When David heard about their embarrassment, he immediately sent for them. He understood their shame and told them, "Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back, then come home."

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 the Ammonites realized David despised them, they panicked and hired Syrian soldiers from Bethrehob and Zoba, totaling 20,000 footmen. They also enlisted a thousand men from King Maacah and twelve thousand from Ishtob.

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 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.

The Ammonite children bravely prepared for battle at the city gate, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Meanwhile, the Syrians from Zoba, Rehob, Ishtob, and Maacah stood alone in the open field, their nerves tingling with the impending conflict.

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:

When Joab realized he was surrounded by enemies on all sides, he quickly selected the bravest men of Israel and prepared them to face 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.

He entrusted the remaining people to his brother Abishai, to prepare them for battle against 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 come and help thee.

He expressed, "If I'm overwhelmed by the Syrians, you must aid me. But if the Ammonites overpower you, I'll rush to your side."

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.

Stay strong, let's bravely stand up for our people and our cities. Trust in God, for He will do what's best.

And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

Joab, filled with courage, led his people into battle against the Syrians. Overwhelmed by their might, the Syrians turned and fled.

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.

When the Ammonites saw the Syrians retreating, fear gripped them. They too fled from Abishai, seeking refuge in their city. Meanwhile, Joab, having completed his mission, left the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.

And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

When the Syrians realized they were losing to Israel, they regrouped, filled with fear and determination.

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.

Hadarezer called upon the Syrians from across the river. They journeyed to Helam, led by their brave captain, Shobach, who was also Hadarezer's chief commander.

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.

When David heard the news, he rallied all of Israel, crossing the Jordan to reach Helam. There, they were met with the formidable Syrian forces, ready for battle.

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.

The Syrians retreated in fear from Israel. David, with fierce determination, defeated seven hundred Syrian chariots and forty thousand horsemen. He struck down Shobach, their leader, who met his end 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.

When all the kings loyal to Hadarezer saw their defeat at the hands of Israel, they sought peace and served Israel. The Syrians, gripped by fear, no longer dared to aid the Ammonites.