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.
10. The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites.
11. And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
12. Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”
13. So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.
14. And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.
15. But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16. And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head.
17. And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him.