9. Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
10. And the rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11. 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.
12. Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God: and Jehovah do that which seemeth him good.
13. So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14. And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15. And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16. And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer at their head.
17. And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
18. And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, so that he died there.