And Joab drew nigh, and the people that [were] with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
Ver. 13. And they fled before him.] As not able to endure so fierce an assault of those most warlike soldiers, the flower of the whole army, - no, not the first shock. How many of them were slain is not said: fight any longer they would not, and to flee they were better prepared by their chariots, than the Israelites were to pursue them.