1David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2David 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. The king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
3But the people said, You shall 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 you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us out of the city.
4The king said to them, What seems you best I will do. The king stood by the gate-side, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
5The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. All the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
6So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim.
7The people of Israel were struck there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.
