It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) that Marhab, the Jew, came out of the fortress armed with weapons, reciting this rajaz (war poetry):

So Khaybar knows well that I am Marhab,
Armed with weapons, a tried and tested warrior.
Sometimes I thrust with the spear, sometimes I strike,
When wars flare up, I turn my attention to them.
My defense is for those who do not even dare to come near me.

And he was coming forward, issuing a challenge: "Is there anyone to face me?" The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Who will go out to face him?" Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah! I am ready to go out to face him. By Allah! I desire to take revenge on him, for yesterday he killed my brother." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then you go forth. O Allah! Help him against his opponent."

When the two of them came close to each other, a very old and large tree full of gum came between them. Each of them would take cover behind the tree to avoid the other’s attack. When one of them would be behind the tree, the other would strike with his sword and cut its branches, until they came face to face with each other. The tree stood between them as if a man were standing, and there was no branch left on it.

Then Marhab attacked Muhammad bin Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him) and struck with his sword. Sayyiduna Muhammad (may Allah be pleased with him) blocked the blow with his shield, and Marhab’s sword struck the shield and got stuck in it. Then Muhammad bin Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him) struck him and killed him.