He put the rest of the people under the command of his brother Abishai, and arrayed them against the Ammonites.
Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
The children of Ammon came out and took up battle formation at the city gate, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
Abishai, Joab’s brother, was chief of the Three. He once wielded his spear against 300 and slew them. Thus he won a name among the Three.
When Joab saw that there was a battle line against him both in front and rear, he selected some of Israel’s best men and deployed them against the Arameans.
He said: “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you will help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you.