9. The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city; and the kings who 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 some of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
11. The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon.
12. He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.