扫罗往基比亚回家去，有神感动的一群人跟随他。
And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
此后，亚扪人的王死了，他儿子哈嫩接续他作王。
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
哈嫩便将大卫臣仆的胡须剃去一半，又割断他们下半截的衣服，使他们露出下体，打发他们回去。
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.
有人告诉大卫，他就差人去迎接他们，因为他们甚觉羞耻，告诉他们说，可以住在耶利哥，等到胡须长起再回来。
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.
亚扪人知道大卫憎恶他们，就打发人去，招募伯利合的亚兰人和琐巴的亚兰人，步兵二万，与玛迦王的人一千，陀伯人一万二千。
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.
大卫听见了，就差派约押统带勇猛的全军出去。
And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
约押看见敌人在他前后摆阵，就从以色列军中挑选精兵，使他们对着亚兰人摆阵。
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:
约押对亚比筛说，亚兰人若强过我，你就来帮助我。亚扪人若强过你，我就去帮助你。
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.
我们都当刚强，为本国的民和神的城邑作大丈夫。愿耶和华凭他的意旨而行。
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.
于是，约押和跟随他的人前进攻打亚兰人。亚兰人在约押面前逃跑。
And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.