⁶ When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious^(A) to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean^(B) foot soldiers from Beth Rehob^(C) and Zobah,^(D) as well as the king of Maakah^(E) with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob.^(F)

⁷ On hearing this, David sent Joab^(G) out with the entire army of fighting men. ⁸ The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maakah were by themselves in the open country.