getting the upper hand

Zepho, who had a high opinion of Balaam's ability, desired
him to use his magic arts and find out what would be
the outcome of the war, but Balaam's knowledge failed him,
he could not satisfy the king's wish. The Egyptians got
the worst of the first encounter between the two hostile
armies, but the aspect of things changed as soon as they
summoned the Israelites to aid them. The Israelites prayed
to God to support them with His help, and the Lord heard
their prayer. Then they threw themselves upon Zepho and
his allies, and after they had cut down several thousand
men, such dismay and confusion took hold of the enemy
that they fled hastily, pursued by the Israelites as far as the
boundary of the country. The Egyptians, instead of coming