שמואל ב, פרק י׳, פסוק ט״ז

Facing a growing conflict, the Aramean leadership realizes the need to drastically expand their military reach. Hadadezer, the king of Aram-Zobah, escalates his campaign by calling for distant reinforcements to prepare for battle. He reaches out to the original Aramean homeland, summoning the forces stationed across the Euphrates River [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

These newly united armies march together until they arrive at Helam, an area located in the northern region across the Jordan River [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Leading this massive force is Shobach, Hadadezer's top military commander. He is deliberately singled out by name in the historical record because of his fearsome reputation as a uniquely powerful and ruthless warrior [רש״י].