Joab saw that there were enemies in front of him and behind him. So Joab chose some of the best Israelite soldiers and lined them up for battle against the Arameans.
The Ammonites came out and got ready for the battle. They stood at the city gate. The Arameans from Zobah and Rehob, and the men from Tob and Maacah did not stand together with the Ammonites in the field.
{David separated the people into three groups.} And then David sent the people out. Joab led one third of the people. Joab’s brother, Abishai son of Zeruiah led another third of the people. And Ittai from Gath led the last third of the people.
When the soldiers in Abijah’s army from Judah looked around, they saw Jeroboam’s army attacking both in front and in back. {\cf2\super [176]} The men of Judah shouted out to the Lord and the priests blew the trumpets.