1 Chronicles 19

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 After this, when Nahash king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun succeeded him,	1 Afterward Nahash, king of the Ammonites, died and his son succeeded him as king.
2 David thought, 'I shal show Hanun son of Nahash the same faithful love as his father showed me.'And David sent representatives to offer him condolences over his father. But when David's representativesreached Hanun in the Ammonites' country to present these condolences,	2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun, the son of Nahash, for his father treated me with kindness." Therefore he sent envoys to him to comfort him over the death of his father. But when David's servants had entered the land of the Ammonites to comfort Hanun,
3 the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, 'Do you real y think David means to honour your father when hesends you messengers with sympathy? On the contrary, the reason why his representatives have come to you isto explore, overthrow and reconnoitre the country.'	3 the Ammonite princes said to Hanun, "Do you think David is doing this--sending you these consolers--to honor your father? Have not his servants rather come to you to explore the land, spying it out for its overthrow?"
4 Whereupon Hanun seized David's representatives, shaved them, cut their clothes off half-way up,right by their buttocks, and sent them away.	4 Thereupon Hanun seized David's servants and had them shaved and their garments cut off half-way at the hips. Then he sent them away.
5 As soon as David was told how the men had been treated, he sent someone to meet them, since themen were overcome with shame. 'Stay in Jericho,' the king said, 'until your beards have grown, and come backthen.'	5 When David was informed of what had happened to his men, he sent messengers to meet them, for the men had been greatly disgraced. "Remain at Jericho," the king told them, "until your beards have grown again; and then you may come back here."
6 When the Ammonites realised that they had antagonised David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent athousand talents of silver to hire chariots and cavalry from the Aramaeans of Upper Mesopotamia, of Maacahand of Zobah.	6 When the Ammonites realized that they had put themselves in bad odor with David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram Naharaim, from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah.
7 They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his people, who came andencamped before Medeba, while the Ammonites, having left their towns and mustered, were advancing to thewar.	7 They hired thirty-two thousand chariots along with the king of Maacah and his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. The Ammonites also assembled from their cities and came out for war.
8 When David heard this, he sent Joab with the whole army, the champions.	8 When David heard of this, he sent Joab and his whole army of warriors against them.
9 The Ammonites marched out and drew up their line of battle at the city gate, while the kings who hadcome kept their distance in the open country.	9 The Ammonites marched out and lined up for a battle at the gate of the city, while the kings who had come to their help remained apart in the open field.
10 Joab, seeing that he had to fight on two fronts, to his front and to his rear, chose the best of Israel'spicked men and drew them up in line facing the Aramaeans.	10 When Joab saw that there was a battle line both in front of and behind him, he chose some of the best fighters among the Israelites and set them in array against the Arameans;
11 He entrusted the rest of the army to his brother Abishai, and drew them up in line facing theAmmonites.	11 the rest of the army, which he placed under the command of his brother Abishai, then lined up to oppose the Ammonites.
12 'If the Aramaeans prove too strong for me,' he said, 'you must come to my help; if the Ammonitesprove too strong for you, I shal come to yours.	12 And he said: "If the Arameans prove too strong for me, you must come to my help; and if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I will save you.
13 Be brave and let us fight valiantly, for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God! And letYahweh dispose as he thinks fit!'	13 Hold steadfast and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of our God; then may the LORD do what seems best to him."
14 Joab and the force with him joined battle with the Aramaeans, who fled at his onslaught.	14 Joab therefore advanced with his men to engage the Arameans in battle; but they fled before him.
15 When the Ammonites saw that the Aramaeans had fled, they too fled from his brother Abishai andwithdrew into the city. Joab then returned to Jerusalem.	15 And when the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they also took to flight before his brother Abishai, and reentered the city. Joab then returned to Jerusalem.
16 The Aramaeans, realising that Israel had got the better of them, sent messengers and mobilised theAramaeans living on the other side of the River, with Shophach, commander of Hadadezer's army, at their head.	16 Seeing themselves vanquished by Israel, the Arameans sent messengers to bring out the Arameans from the other side of the River, with Shophach, the general of Hadadezer's army, at their head.
17 David, being informed of this, mustered al Israel, crossed the Jordan, made contact with them andtook up position near them. David drew up his line of battle facing the Aramaeans, who then engaged him.	17 When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and met them. With the army of David drawn up to fight the Arameans, they gave battle.
18 But the Aramaeans fled from Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their chariot teams and fortythousand men; and also Shophach, the commander of the army.	18 But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David slew seven thousand of their chariot fighters and forty thousand of their foot soldiers; he also killed Shophach, the general of the army.
19 When Hadadezer's vassals saw that Israel had got the better of them, they made peace with Davidand became his subjects. The Aramaeans were unwil ing to give any more help to the Ammonites.	19 When the vassals of Hadadezer saw themselves vanquished by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans refused to come to the aid of the Ammonites.