When Jo´ab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zobah, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Ma´acah, were by themselves in the field.
And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Jo´ab, and a third part under the hand of Ab´ishai the son of Zeru-i´ah, Jo´ab's brother, and a third part under the hand of It´tai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.