Now when Yo'av saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Yisra'el, and put them in array against the Syrians:
The children of `Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Tzovah and of Rechov, and the men of Tov and Ma`akhah, were by themselves in the field.
David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Yo'av, and a third part under the hand of Avishai the son of Tzeru'yah, Yo'av's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.