Then it happenedin the spring,at the timewhen kingsgoout [to battle], that DavidsentJoaband his servantswith him and allIsrael,and they destroyedthe sonsof Ammonand besiegedRabbah.But Davidstayedat Jerusalem.
When the sonsof Ammonsawthat the Arameansfled,they [also] fledbeforeAbishaiand enteredthe city.Then Joabreturnedfrom [fighting] againstthe sonsof Ammonand cameto Jerusalem.
Then the prophetcamenearto the kingof Israeland saidto him, "Go,strengthenyourself and observeand seewhatyou have to do;for at the turnof the yearthe kingof Aramwill comeup againstyou."
At the turnof the year,Ben-hadadmusteredthe Arameansand wentup to Aphekto fightagainstIsrael.
Then it happenedin the spring,at the timewhen kingsgoout [to battle], that Joabledout the armyand ravagedthe landof the sonsof Ammon,and cameand besiegedRabbah.But Davidstayedat Jerusalem.And JoabstruckRabbahand overthrewit.
At the turnof the yearKingNebuchadnezzarsentand broughthim to Babylonwith the valuablearticlesof the houseof the LORD,and he madehis kinsmanZedekiahkingoverJudahand Jerusalem.
Whowill bringme into the besiegedcity?Whowill leadme to Edom?
A timeto loveand a timeto hate;A timefor warand a timefor peace.
"Thereforebehold,the daysare coming,"declaresthe LORD,"That I will cause a trumpetblastof warto be heardAgainstRabbahof the sonsof Ammon;And it will becomea desolateheap,And her townswill be seton fire.Then Israelwill takepossessionof his possessors,"Saysthe LORD.
"Wail,O Heshbon,for Aihas been destroyed!Cryout, O daughtersof Rabbah,Girdyourselveswith sackclothand lament,And rushbackand forthinside the walls;For Malcamwill gointo exileTogetherwith his priestsand his princes.
"You shall marka wayfor the swordto cometo Rabbahof the sonsof Ammon,and to Judahinto fortifiedJerusalem.
"So I will kindlea fireon the wallof RabbahAnd it will consumeher citadelsAmid warcrieson the dayof battle,And a stormon the dayof tempest.
Then the LORDwill goforthand fightagainst thosenations,as whenHe fightson a dayof battle.
(For onlyOgkingof Bashanwas leftof the remnantof the Rephaim.Behold,his bedsteadwas an ironbedstead;it is in Rabbahof the sonsof Ammon.Its lengthwas ninecubitsand its widthfourcubitsby ordinarycubit.)
Then the commandersof the Philistineswentout [to battle], and it happenedas oftenas they wentout, that Davidbehavedhimself morewiselythanallthe servantsof Saul.So his namewas highlyesteemed.
