⁷ And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of ^(A)the mighty men. ⁸ And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, and ^(B)the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and ^(C)the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

⁹ When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians.