Aram-naharaim, &c. = Mesopotamia or Syria. See 1Ch_18:5, and note below on "twelve thousand".
twelve thousand. In 2Sa_8:13, and 1Ch_18:12, it is David's and Abishai's exploit, which was 18,000. Here, it is Joab's exploit, and his share was 12,000, but he took six months longer in finishing up his task (1Ki_11:15, 1Ki_11:16). David's 22,000 in 1Ch_18:5 were in a Syrian campaign. See notes on 2Sa_8:12, 2Sa_8:13.