1st Chronicles Chapter 19 verse 10 Holy Bible
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
read chapter 19 in ASV
Now when Joab saw that their forces were in position against him in front and at his back, he took all the best men of Israel, and put them in line against the Aramaeans;
read chapter 19 in BBE
And Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind; and he chose out of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians;
read chapter 19 in DARBY
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
read chapter 19 in KJV
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he selected all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
read chapter 19 in WBT
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
read chapter 19 in WEB
And Joab seeth that the front of the battle hath been unto him, before and behind, and he chooseth out of all the choice in Israel, and setteth in array to meet Aram,
read chapter 19 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 10. - The meaning in brief of this Terse is that, as Joab found there were practically two enemies, and two armies to face, he avoided the mistake of being shut up between them more than necessary, and divided his own hosts. He took the flower of all, under his own command, to face the Syrians in the field, who were the most formidable of the enemy. The rest he put under his brother Abishai, to face the Ammonites at the gate, i.e. of the city Medeba. The plan succeeded, for if Abishai had only done as much as hold back the Ammonites awhile, so soon as they saw the Syrians break and flee they knew that Joab and his army would be free to "help" Abishai.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10) The battle was set against him before and behind.--Literally, the front of the battle had become towards him, front and rear. The order of words is different in Samuel, and a preposition added ("on front and on rear"). The Ammonites lay in front of the city, their Aramaean allies at some distance away, in the plain. For Joab to attack either with his entire army would have been to expose his rear to the assault of the other. He therefore divided his forces.The choice of Israel.--Literally, the chosen or young warriors (singular collective) in Israel (i.e., in the Israelitish army). These Joab himself led against the Aramaeans, as the most dangerous enemy, while he sent a detachment, under his brother Abishai, to cope with the Ammonites.Put them in array.--Rather, set the battle in array, or drew up against . . . (1Chronicles 19:17; 1Chronicles 12:33). The same Hebrew phrase recurs in 1Chronicles 19:11.
