7 So they hired thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, who came and pitched camp before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities and came to battle.
8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men.
9 And the sons of Ammon came out and put the battle in order before the gate of the city, and the kings that had come were by themselves in the field.
10 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 order against the Syrians.
11 And he put the rest of the people into the hand of Abishai, his brother, putting them in order against the sons of Ammon.
12 And he said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then thou shalt save me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for thee, then I will save thee.
13 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.