Joab Divides the Army against Ammon and Aram

Ammon hires help, and Joab finds the battle in front and behind

When the children of Ammon see that they stink before David, they hire the Syrians of Beth-rehob and of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and a thousand men of king Maacah, and twelve thousand of Ish-tob. David hears and sends Joab and all the host of the mighty men. Ammon puts the battle in array at the entering of the gate; the Aramean forces are by themselves in the field.

Joab sees that the front of the battle is against him before and behind. He chooses the choice men of Israel against the Syrians and delivers the rest to Abishai his brother against Ammon. Mercenary war has made two fronts. The response is division of the army, not a speech that names a cursed people.

Courage for people and cities, then a flight, then a return to Jerusalem

Joab says, If the Syrians are too strong for me, you help me; if Ammon is too strong for you, I will help you. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seems him good. He draws near to the Syrians, and they flee. When Ammon sees that, they flee before Abishai into the city. Joab returns from Ammon and comes to Jerusalem.

The exhortation asks for courage on behalf of a people and their cities, then hands the outcome to the LORD. That is responsible speech inside a battle they did not have to invent after the envoys' shame, and it still does not certify every tactic as holy. 'Play the men' is solidarity under pressure, not a pool contest and not a modern nationalist hymn. A favorable flight does not prove the whole war righteous, and Ammon and Aram are not standing villains for later use.