Joab realized he would have to fight both in front of him and behind him, so he chose some of Israel's best troops and he took charge of them to lead the attack against the Arameans.
David sent the army out divided into three sections. One third was commanded by Joab, one third was commanded by Abishai, son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third was commanded by Ittai the Gittite. The king told the men, “I myself will go out to battle with you.”