And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled,.... In whom they put great confidence:
then they fled also before Abishai; without engaging at all with him, as it seems:
and entered into the city; out of which they came, either Rabbah or Medeba, for their safety:
so Joab returned from the children of Ammon; did not stay to lay siege to their city, the season of the year not being proper for it, winter drawing near; see 2 Samuel 11:1;
and came to Jerusalem; in triumph, to report to David the victory he had obtained.