And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.
Parallel translations
- WEB The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
- BSB The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open country.
- NKJV Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
- NASB The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
- NLT The Ammonite troops came out and drew up their battle lines at the entrance of the city, while the other kings positioned themselves to fight in the open fields.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Ammonites array at the city gate while the allied kings position in the open field. It describes the enemy's two-front formation.
Overview
Israel faces a strategic dilemma: Ammonites guarding the city and Aramean mercenaries arrayed separately in the field, threatening Joab from both directions. The tactical pressure sets up Joab's wise response in the following verses. The scene heightens the sense that only God's help can secure victory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 1 Sam 17:2And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
- 1 Kgs 20:24And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:
- 2 Chr 13:3And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
- 2 Chr 14:10Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
- 2 Sam 10:8And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
- Joel 2:5Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
- 1 Kgs 20:1And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.
- 2 Sam 18:4And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
- Isa 28:6And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
- Jer 50:42They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
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Original language
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