When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians.
2 Samuel 10:9
Surrounding context
10:8 Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
10:9 When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians.
10:10 And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon.