שמואל ב, פרק י׳, פסוק י״ד

A coordinated military strike often crumbles the moment one side of a two-front alliance breaks. As soon as the Ammonites saw their Aramean allies fleeing the battlefield, their own resolve shattered. They immediately retreated from Abishai's advancing troops and withdrew into their city, hoping to fortify themselves behind its walls.

This sudden retreat marked a turning point in the conflict, leading to a temporary pause in the central command of the campaign. With the enemy barricaded indoors, Joab stepped away from the front lines and returned to Jerusalem, effectively taking a leave of absence from the active fighting. However, his departure did not mean the war was over. Even as the commanding general took his leave, battalions from the army of Israel remained stationed in the field to continue their siege against the Ammonites.