2 Samuel 18:1-8 ▼

1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.

2 And David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people: 'I will surely go forth with you myself also.'

3 But the people said: 'Thou shalt not go forth; for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us; but thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou be ready to succour us out of the city.'

4 And the king said unto them: 'What seemeth you best I will do.' And the king stood by the gate-side, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.

5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying: 'Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom.' And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

6 So the people went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim.

7 And the people of Israel were smitten there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.

8 For the battle was there spread over the face of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.