2 Samuel 18:5-7

Holman Christian Standard Bible

⁵ The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” All the people heard the king’s orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

⁶ Then David’s forces marched into the field to engage Israel in battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷ The people of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day—20,000 casualties.