1 Chronicles 19

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Now it came to pass that Naas the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned is his stead.	1 After this, when Nahash king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun succeeded him,
2 And David said: I will shew kindness to Hanon the son of Naas: for his father did a favour to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him upon the death of his father. But when they were come into the land of the children of Ammon, to comfort Hanon,	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,
3 The princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanon: Thou thinkest perhaps that David to do honour to thy father hath sent comforters to thee: and thou dost not take notice, that his servants are come to thee to consider, and search, and spy out thy land.	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.'
4 Wherefore Hanon shaved the heads and beards of the servants of David, and cut away their garments from the buttocks to the feet, and sent them away.	4 Whereupon Hanun seized David's representatives, shaved them, cut their clothes off half-way up,right by their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 And when they were gone, they sent word to David, who sent to meet them (for they had suffered a great affront) and ordered them to stay at Jericho till their beards grew and then to return.	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.'
6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had done an injury to David, Hanon and the rest of the people sent a thousand talents of silver, to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria Maacha, and out of Soba.	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.
7 And they hired two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maacha, with his people. And they came and camped over against Medaba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together out of their cities, and came to battle.	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.
8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of valiant men:	8 When David heard this, he sent Joab with the whole army, the champions.
9 And the children of Ammon came out and put their army in array before the gate of the city : and the kings, that were come to their aid, stood apart in the field.	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.
10 Wherefore Joab understanding that the battle was set against him before and behind, chose out the bravest men of all Israel, and marched against the Syrians,	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.
11 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abisai his brother, and they went against the children of Ammon.	11 He entrusted the rest of the army to his brother Abishai, and drew them up in line facing theAmmonites.
12 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, I will help thee.	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.
13 Be of good courage and let us behave ourselves manfully for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord will do that which is good in his sight.	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!'
14 So Joab and the people that were with him, went against the Syrians to the battle : and he put them to flight.	14 Joab and the force with him joined battle with the Aramaeans, who fled at his onslaught.
15 And the children of Ammon seeing that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled from Abisai his brother, and went into the city: and Joab also returned to Jerusalem.	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.
16 But the Syrians seeing that they had fallen before Israel, sent messengers, and brought to them the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Sophach, general of the army of Adarezer, was their leader.	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.
17 And it was told David, and he gathered together all Israel, and passed the Jordan, and came upon them, and put his army in array against them, and they fought with him.	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.
18 But the Syrian fled before Israel: and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and Sophach the general of the army.	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.
19 And when the servants of Adarezer saw themselves overcome by Israel, they went over to David, and served him: and Syria would not help the children of Ammon any more.	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.